Longest Night Vigil for Gaza and the West Bank

media release: The “Longest Night” is a service that has taken place in the Christian tradition on Winter Solstice, just a few days before Christmas. It began to help those who are struggling during the Advent and Christmas season.

For more than a year, innocent people in Gaza have endured night after night of sleeplessness, fear and anxiety as the sounds of falling bombs, drones, airplanes and gunshots have surrounded them. On December 21, the longest night, Mennonite Action Madison has scheduled an action of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza whose distress and agony continues night after night with no end in sight. 

4-6 pm, December 21, 2024,  West Lawn Plaza near Trader Joe’s, 1810 Monroe St., Madison WI

4 pm – Gathering and Vigil

5 pm – Singing and Program, speakers include:

    Dr. Samir Alatout, UW Sociology Professor and native of Palestine

Dr. Hussein Amach, Economist

Esty Dinur, Journalist

Christa Bruhn, Author

J. Denny Weaver, Mennonite Theologian

The vigil and service will provide space for diverse communities of faith and conscience to stand together in grief and to call for an end to US support for the Israeli attacks on Gaza and the West Bank, an end to US offensive weapons shipments to Israel and restoration of humanitarian aid to the people who are homeless, without food, clean water or medical care in Gaza.

Co-sponsored by the Friends Meeting of Madison (Quakers), the Interfaith Peace Working Group, Jewish Voice for Peace, Madison Mennonite Church, Madison for a World BEYOND War, Memorial United Church of Christ,  Mennonite Action Madison, and Palestine Justice Mission Team of Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ.