BEREAVED Israeli and Palestinian families called for an end to “hate and revenge” and for political leaders to instead seek sustainable peace and reconciliation at an alternative Remembrance Sunday ceremony in London today.

The call came from the joint Israeli-Palestinian Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF), which involves more than 600 families who have lost an immediate family member in the continuing conflict.

It was made at the annual National Alternative Remembrance Ceremony organised by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU) in Tavistock Square in London.

In their message, the families condemned “the shocking acts of violence on all sides” and said: “Thousands of victims aren’t just numbers, they represent shattered dreams, unfulfilled futures and broken loves.

“The past weeks have brought upon us seemingly never-ending shock and storms of emotions.

“We fear the future and pray that the cursed war ends as soon as possible, that violent incidents will not break out in other places, and that the killing from both sides will stop.

“This is a call to action for leaders, communities and individuals to find solutions that favour justice, sustainable peace and reconciliation over continuing hate and revenge.

“As Palestinians and Israelis, this statement is a testament to our joint determination to end the occupation, the pain, the violence and suffering that has plagued the region for so long.”

Speakers at the London ceremony included Richard Kuper of Jews for Justice for Palestinians, which has staged demonstrations calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Alternative Remembrance Day ceremonies took place in other centres including Bradford, Brighton, Edinburgh, Leeds and Oxford.

The PPU reported unprecedented sales of white poppies, which it produces in memory of all victims of all wars, including those in Israel and Palestine, Ukraine, the South Caucasus, Yemen and elsewhere.

The PPU condemned that government backlash against Palestine protests calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“Peaceful demonstrations against war are entirely consistent with remembering the victims of war,” it said.

The organisation also accused the government of hypocrisy: “Sunak has defended the ‘sanctity of Armistice Day,’ even as he provides steadfast military and diplomatic support for Israeli war crimes in Gaza.”