Peace campaigners are calling on the UK government to hold the British Armed Forces to account for systemic abuse within their ranks and to halt planned rises in military spending.
The Peace Pledge Union (PPU) is the UK's oldest secular pacifist organisation. Ninety years ago, the PPU was founded when Dick Sheppard put out a call for people to sign the Peace Pledge. Signing the Pledge remains the basis of PPU membership to this day:
We are witnessing the greatest intensity of war and violence so far this century. The destruction of Gaza continues unabated, as the conflict spirals out into the wider region, leaving thousands dead in Lebanon and threatening all-out war with Iran.
More white poppies are being ordered for schools, universities and other educational settings in the run up to Remembrance Day this year, following increased interest from students and teachers.
A highlight of this year's Proms Concerts season was a performance of the War Requiem, a large-scale work by renowned 20th Century British composer Benjamin Britten (Prom 37, Saturday 17th August).
As military planes roared over the Farnborough International Airshow – the very same planes currently bombing Gaza – peace campaigners and local residents gathered outside to show their disgust at the arms trade.
Joint press release by ForcesWatch and the Peace Pledge Union
Peace campaigners have welcomed the news that there will be no national event for Armed Forces Day this year, as no local councils have come forward to host it.
On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, peace campaigners have called for remembrance of all victims of war in a spirit of reflection, rather than celebration.
