Latest News
Quakers divided on ‘loyal address’
Quakers from Britain and Ireland visited Buckingham Palace in the spring after being invited to offer a ‘Loyal Address’ – a historic entitlement to address the monarch.
War in Israel and Gaza
The ongoing war in Israel and Gaza dominated the last three months of the year, after the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October took hostages and killed over 1,200 Israelis. By December, at least 20,000 Palestinians had been killed, according to Gaza Health Ministry figures, including more than 7,700 children.
Friends welcome action on climate loss and damage
Quakers campaigned for climate justice in a year that would be ‘the warmest on record’, scientists said with ‘near certainty’. By November, they said it was 1.43C above the pre-industrial average.
New CEO for Woodbrooke
Woodbrooke trustees have announced the appointment of Mandy Cooper as the new permanent CEO to lead the charity into 2024 and beyond.
George Fox 400 programme launched
A ‘George Fox 400 programme’ will be officially announced by Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) on 1 January 2024. The programme of events is to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the co-founder of the Quaker movement, George Fox.
Stop selling arms to Israel, Quakers tell UK government
Quakers joined calls on the UK government to suspend arms sales to Israel due to the ‘clear risk’ that the weapons might be used in violation of international law.
Quakers join hundreds to defend jury rights
Quakers were among around five hundred people who gathered at more than fifty Crown Courts across England and Wales to uphold the rights of juries earlier this month.
Quaker artwork set sails to Norway
A Quaker artist’s work will start the new year at sea, on board a cruise ship bound for Norway.
Billions needed for climate loss and damage, say Friends
As Friends joined other climate activists for COP28 last weekend, to witness for continued action on the Loss and Damage Fund, Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) cautiously welcomed a deal to help pay for the irreversible impacts of climate disaster.
MSPs vote for children’s rights
Friends in Scotland are celebrating the Scottish Parliament’s incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scottish law.