Mayor opens Book of Condolence for victims of Israeli-Palestinian conflict

An online Book of Condolence in memory of all the innocent victims caught up in the most intense period of Israeli-Palestinian violence in years, has been opened by the Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Brian Tierney.
Councillor Brian Tierney, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council. Picture Martin McKeown. 01.06.20Councillor Brian Tierney, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council. Picture Martin McKeown. 01.06.20
Councillor Brian Tierney, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council. Picture Martin McKeown. 01.06.20

Hundreds of children have been killed or injured in the ongoing conflict, as well as protestors and military personnel, as the country continues to be bombarded by heavy missiles, and mobs attack opposing communities.

Mayor Tierney said that as international concerns grow about the escalating situation, it was important for the world to show solidarity with the many innocent people caught up in the violence.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He urged local people to take the opportunity to express their sympathy.

“As a society emerging from a significant period of conflict I think that it’s important that we stand shoulder to shoulder with the innocent people affected by this violence and share our condolences with those who have lost loved ones,” he declared.

“This is a historic conflict and there are no easy answers to resolving the deeply ingrained issues that divide these two communities but violence, as we know from our own experience, is not the answer. I want to express my own condemnation and join calls for a truce until a peaceful resolution can be sought.

“Children are living in terror, too scared to sleep at night as missiles fall around them, afraid they won’t wake up in the morning. Tension is rife and communities are living in fear of attacks from angry mobs, powerless to protect their families amidst the chaos.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Mayor added: “By opening this Book of Condolence today I want to provide an opportunity for local people to communicate their sympathies to those bereaved, to those living in terror and to show that we are horrified by this careless disregard for human life.”

The Book of Condolence is now available to sign online at https://www.derrystrabane.com/Subsites/Mayor/Mayors-Book-of-Condolences