Memorial stone for Palestinians planned for garden
BBCPlans for a memorial to Palestinian civilians killed in the Israel-Gaza War have been announced.
The stone tribute is expected to be installed within the Peace Garden at Newcastle Civic Centre, alongside the planting of an olive tree, later this year.
The garden commemorates communities who have suffered violence and death.
A spokesperson for Newcastle City Council said it was in discussions with the local Palestinian community to establish a memorial stone and the olive tree would be "a symbol of remembrance" in line with two oak trees already planted to honour Jewish refugees and victims of Srebrenica.
Councillor Habib Rahman, who led the proposals with support from the local Palestinian community, said the memorial would sit alongside similar commemorations already installed within the garden.
A memorial stone was unveiled in 2024 to remember the genocide against the Tutsi people of Rwanda and a second memorial was installed in 2025 dedicated to Roma victims of the Holocaust.
Rahman, a former lord mayor of Newcastle, said the cost of the memorial and tree planting would be covered entirely by the community.
He said: "I am immensely proud of the work undertaken to establish the Peace Garden. As a City of Sanctuary, it is fitting that Newcastle has a dedicated space for remembrance and reflection.
"It reflects our city's long-standing tradition of solidarity, our stance against genocide and war, and our commitment to empathy and remembrance."
Mohammed Wafi, of Palestine Community North East, said: "We thank councillor Rahman for his leadership in securing this historic approval.
"This memorial will mean a great deal to our community, and we will now work with him and the council to deliver it."