Around 35 people gathered to listen to Clare Short, former Secretary of State for International Development and Youseff Rapoport, a member of the Steering Group of independent Jewish Voices and a Reader in Islamic History, address this topic.
Clare stirred us to challenge the government to acknowledge its hypocrisy in condemning human rights violations in Arab countries while allowing Israel to act with impunity. Youseff was similarly condemning of the occupation but could not quite bring himself to consider Israelis forfeiting their claim to live in the settlements in the West Bank.
Everyone enjoyed a delicious Palestinian meal cooked by Hassan, a chef and refugee from Gaza who is enduring years of waiting while the Home Office decides his status. I think we can be sure that in future most Sumud meetings will include some Palestinian food!