As Bradford prepares to commemorate 80 years since the end of the Second World War, local residents in Bradford and across West Yorkshire are coming together to mark the murder of five year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab who was killed along with members of her family after their car was hit by Israeli bullets.

As per reports, on the morning of 29th January 2024, innocent Hind got in a Kia Picanto along with her aunt, uncle and several cousins. They were seeking to flee the Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood of Gaza City. The Israeli military fired on the car, killing everyone inside except for Hind and her 15-year-old cousin, Layan. 

A terrified Layan answered a call from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), informing them that a tank was firing on the car: in the recording, you hear her tortured screams as she is shot dead. When the PRCS rang back, Hind answered, now the only survivor, surrounded by the bloodied corpses of her six relatives. She also referred to a tank and begged to be rescued. At one point she told the operator it was getting dark and that she was scared.

After hours waiting for permission, the ministry of health negotiated safe access with the Israeli authorities for an ambulance. The paramedics arrived at about 6pm and were shot upon arrival. Two weeks later, their remains were recovered – along with the decomposed bodies of Hind and her family.

On Saturday the 3rd of May, a silent march marked what should have been Hind Rajab’s seventh birthday.  Organised by Bradford Friends of Palestine the march is supported by solidarity groups across Calderdale, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds, Shipley and Wakefield as well as the Bradford branches of the NEU and Unite unions.

Marchers will assemble at Thornbury roundabout from 12:30 and make their way down to Centenary Square. Local children will recite poetry and the last words of children killed in Gaza who have been disproportionately targeted by the ongoing Israeli genocide.

Stalls with refreshments will be fundraising for the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) that is devoted to breaking the cycle of Israeli impunity and honouring the memory of Hind Rajab and all those who have perished in the Gaza genocide. The foundation focuses on offensive legal action against perpetrators, accomplices and inciters of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine.

Bradford Friends of Palestine said: “The War on Gaza has claimed far too many innocent lives including over 18,000 children to date.

We have organised this silent march in partnership with Leeds Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Leeds Women in Black to raise awareness of the Hind Rajab Foundation who are playing a hugely important role in holding IDF soldiers to account for their heinous crimes of slaughtering thousands of innocent children and civilians in Gaza.”

They added: “We appeal to the humanity of anyone who is appalled by what is unfolding before our eyes in the occupied Palestinian territories in Gaza and the West Bank. 

We urge people to join our silent march on Saturday 03 May to remember beautiful Hind Rajab who was killed in such horrific circumstances whilst escaping her persecutors and to make sure her killers and those of other children, are brought to justice.”