250,000-Strong Durham Miners Gala and Meeting in England Stand as One with Palestinian People

Tens of thousands gather at the Big Meeting, showing support for Palestine

This year's Durham Miners' Gala and Big Meeting on July 12 in the northeast of England was remarkable not just because of the huge numbers -- it is estimated that all told some 250,000 people took part including tens of thousands in the Big Meeting -- but also because it struck such a note of optimism and determination for the future. In such desolate times for the people in Britain and the world, such defiance and resilience, particularly of the Palestinian people resisting the U.S./Israeli genocide in Gaza and the West Bank, shows that the peoples' struggles can and will prevail. 

This year marked the 139th Gala, held by the Durham Miners' Association almost annually for the past 154 years since 1871. The theme of this year's Gala was, We Are Still Here!

To mark how important the struggles of the peoples together are, the Durham Miners' Gala placed His Excellency Dr. Husam Zomlot, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, at centre stage. Insightfully, in interviews before the event the Ambassador had said that his favourite thing about Durham was "how history is so important and significant" to the people of the city and beyond. He said that "after all these years, 150 years of a movement, they're still marching, they're still here."

Dr. Husam Zomlot, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the UK speaking at the Big Meeting

The optimistic spirit of the Gala was precisely what was taken up by Dr. Husam Zomlot in his historic speech to the Gala and the Big Meeting. He struck such a chord with the thousands of people there when he said: "Let me say this. We are still there in Palestine and you are still here after all these years in Durham. We are not going anywhere, my friends. We are not going anywhere in our homes and in our land. We carry our history and you carry your history not as a burden but as a torch, a torch lighting our path towards the future, towards freedom, towards justice."

Early in his powerful speech, Dr. Zomlot said to huge applause: "I want to recognize Unite, the union, for their vote yesterday for a full arms embargo on Israel, a ban on trade with the illegal settlements, and cutting all ties and all trade that exists with Israel's violation of international law."

Dr. Zomlot spoke from the heart when he said, "What energy! It's infectious! Miners, unionists, distinguished friends, Marras! [A miners' term of affection for a trusted friend. -- TML Ed. note.]

"[...] I confess to you, my friends, I do sometimes struggle for hope, to see any light in this darkness. But then I see the steadfastness of my people. [...] I see you, I see the millions who march for justice in Palestine all over the world, every week, every day. And I find myself speaking to hundreds of thousands of people, along with inspiring leaders like Jeremy Corbyn. [...] 

"I tell you, the people of the UK, the British people have turned this country into the epicentre of solidarity and support for Palestine. [...] I see your passion, I feel your passion, I hear your chants, I feel your energy, and hope is rekindled. I marched with you earlier today. I see in your eyes our shared humanity. [...] Ceasefire Now! [...] Our movement is not only about protesting death; our movement is about life."

At the end of his speech to further huge applause he said, "I learned yesterday that I am the first ever Palestinian to be invited to this platform [...] The fact that I'm here, the fact that this is the first time a Palestinian ambassador is invited, tells you the tide has shifted."

Big Meeting and its speakers standing together for Gaza and all of Palestine

Indeed the tide has shifted against the criminal actions of those in power and their cartel party system and the oligarchs that run Westminster because of the continued resistance of the working class and peoples in Britain to the anti-social offensive expressed in their slogan Enough Is Enough! The tide has been shifted by the resistance of the working class and people to the attacks on their rights and by the heroic opposition to Britain's support for and arming of Israel in their genocide against the Palestinians.

To view a video of the entire speech, click here.

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This article was published in

Volume 55 Number 21 - August 3, 2025

Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2025/Articles/TS55213.HTM

Website:  www.cpcml.ca   Email:  editor@cpcml.ca