MORE than 100 candidates standing in next week’s Senedd election have signed a pledge in support of Palestinian rights, including backing calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign Cymru said 115 candidates had signed its “Senedd Palestine Pledge” so far.

The signatories include 46 Green candidates, 37 Plaid Cymru candidates, eight Liberal Democrats, six Labour candidates and five independents.

The pledge commits candidates, if elected, to “take all appropriate steps” to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people, oppose what PSC describes as Israel’s crimes of genocide and apartheid, and ensure the Welsh Government is not complicit, including through support for the Palestinian-led call for boycott, divestment and sanctions.

Prominent candidates listed by the campaign include Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter, former Senedd Members Mike Hedges, Sioned Williams, Llyr Gruffydd, Sian Gwenllian and Heledd Fychan, former MP Beth Winter, and Rob Griffiths of the Communist Party of Britain.

PSC Cymru said the pledge was particularly relevant under the new closed proportional list system, where voters choose parties or independent candidates rather than individual party candidates.

According to the campaign, the pledge has been signed by two Labour, three Liberal Democrat, ten Plaid Cymru and 12 Green first-placed candidates.

The organisation said the issue had direct relevance to the Senedd because of concerns previously raised over Welsh Government funding linked to companies involved in the F-35 fighter jet supply chain.

Bethan Sayed, co-chair of Palestine Solidarity Campaign Cymru, said: “Reaching 100 pledges is a milestone. It is a clear message that Palestine is on the ballot in this Senedd election.

“Wales has always aspired to be a nation that stands on the right side of history, a globally responsible nation that holds human rights and international law at its heart. These 100-plus candidates are giving real meaning to that aspiration.

“Support for Palestinian rights stretches across every community and every constituency in Wales. Polls show public backing for this issue. Voters will be watching closely to see who has the conviction to stand with them.

“To those candidates who have not yet signed: the time to act is now. This is a test of moral leadership. We urge every remaining candidate to sign the pledge before polling day.”

DYFED-POWYS POLICE cyclists will ride 75 hilly miles across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire next week in a first-of-its-kind charity event for the force.

Around 35 riders will take part in The Chief’s Tour on Wednesday (May 6), raising money for Care of Police Survivors (COPS), a charity which supports the families of police officers and police staff who have died on duty.

The route will begin at St Mary’s Church in Fishguard at around 8:00am, before heading south through Pembrokeshire to Tenby and finishing at police headquarters in Carmarthen. The ride is expected to take between eight and 11 hours.

The event will also commemorate officers and staff who died while serving with Dyfed-Powys Police.

Chief Constable Ifan Charles said: “This event is a moment for communities, Dyfed-Powys Police, and families to come together to remember officers and staff whose lives were sadly cut short – and ensure their memory lives on.

“It would be fantastic to see people showing their support along the route, and we welcome cyclists to join us along the way.”

Scheduled stops will include St Mary’s Church, Fishguard, at around 8:00am, Newgale beach at 9:40am, Narberth Road layby in Tenby at 1:45pm, and Cana Cemetery, Banc-y-felin, Carmarthenshire, at 4:05pm.

Mr Charles added: “It was important to me to build moments of reflection into the route to make sure we remember the Dyfed-Powys Police officers who never made it home.

“Each name we reflect upon represents dedication, courage, and the highest standard of service to the public. They remind us of what it means to put the safety of others before our own, and of the risks inherent in the oath police officers take.”

The tour is aiming to raise £1,000 for COPS. More than £600 has already been donated.

Anyone wishing to support the team can donate through the JustGiving page for Dyfed Powys Police Cyclists.

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have set out plans to raise standards in education, warning that too many children are being let down by underperformance, poor discipline and funding pressures.

The party says Wales continues to lag behind other parts of the UK in international education rankings, despite the Welsh Government receiving higher levels of funding per head than England.

Leader Darren Millar said a Welsh Conservative Government would increase funding for schools, restore discipline in classrooms and place a renewed focus on academic and vocational achievement.

He said: “After 27 years of Labour, propped up by Plaid Cymru, our education system is failing too many young people.

“Standards have slipped, discipline has broken down and outcomes are simply not good enough.

“The Welsh Conservatives have a clear plan to turn this around. We will restore discipline in our classrooms, back our teachers and bring back academic rigour.

“We will ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential.”

The party says its education plan would also strengthen routes into further and higher education, with a focus on helping young people build their futures in Wales.

Welsh Conservative education spokesperson Natasha Asghar said: “Every child in Wales deserves a world-class education, but after 27 years of Labour, propped up by Plaid Cymru, too many are being let down by a system that is underperforming and undervalued.

“We will raise standards, support our teachers and ensure schools are properly resourced, while strengthening opportunities in further and higher education so young people can thrive and build their futures here in Wales.”