A TEN-day hunger strike could be continued indefinitely as the fast is taken up by other people in York.

John Bibby, who lives in Heworth, began the strike on Friday morning in protest at the Israeli military operation in Gaza.

Mr Bibby, 64, is holding the fast in York Minster and has said others may take up the baton when he finishes.

He said: “I’m fine and what has been very encouraging has been the number of people who have sent messages of support and the people who have come into the Minster who have heard about the protest.

“I’m also getting a lot of support from other groups and they are talking about making it a continuing fast with many participants.

“Although the collecting of money is not a major thing, we’re well into four figures – well over £1,000.”

That money will be sent through the Archbishop of York’s office to a hospital in Gaza that the Archbishop has links with.

Mr Bibby said that although the majority of people have been supportive of his protest there have been some who hold opposing viewpoints.

He said: “There have been some visitors who don’t agree with my position.

“There was a visit from a woman whose cousin was in Gaza as a member of the Israeli Army, so she obviously had a different point of view, although she definitely said they should not be shooting at children.”

But Mr Bibby said that whether people agreed with his point of view or not it was good, so long as they were debating the issues and discussing how the nation and people in York could help the situation.

Although he is an atheist himself, Mr Bibby has called on Church leaders across the UK to speak out about the current Israeli operations.

He said: “We look to the Church to take a high moral stand where necessary and I have not seen that in the last few days.”

The 64-year-old is now taking it “day-by-day” until his fast comes to an end.

He said: “I’m fine and I’m drinking milky drinks. It’s the longest I’ve been without food by a long chalk but I have a few pounds to lose and any inconvenience is far less than the pain of losing a child which is happening in Gaza.

“I’m not going to damage myself, but ten days is the target and I’m hopeful that as I finish others will take the baton and carry it on.”

Mr Bibby is in the Minster from 9am to 2pm each day.

He holds an hour’s vigil each day from 12.30pm and for people who want to join him in that there is no charge to enter the building.

Messages of support can be sent to QED@enterprise.net