The Illawarra will come together to raise funds and show support for Palestine in July, after weeks of forced evictions, violence, and military bombardment. Students For Palestine have organised the Free Palestine Fundraising Dinner which will take place on Sunday, July 4th from 2 pm to 4:30 pm at Berkeley Neighbourhood Centre.
The event will feature traditional Palestinian music, dance and food, as well as speeches from Palestinian community members at home and abroad, who will share their experiences and their dreams for a free Palestine. The event will also include a raffle, including an original Redback Graphix ‘The Workplace is No Place for Racism’ poster, a vintage ‘Free Palestine’ hoodie, and a variety of Turkish homewares.
Wollongong’s recent Protest For Palestine saw Crown Street Mall fill with protestors, demonstrating against the ongoing annexation of Palestinian territories, Israeli occupation, and the human rights violations occurring in Gaza and the West Bank. The rallies highlighted many Illawarra residents’ outrage at the current conditions experienced by Palestinian people.
"Palestinian people have shown an honourable record defending their land against the most cruel and apartheid army for over 73 years,” says Noor Jarbou, an event organiser.
“The Israeli army applies ethnic cleansing, causing forced displacement for many families who are separated all over the world.”
Jarbou adds, “[Anti-apartheid and human rights activist] Desmond Tutu said: ‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.’ So, please join us at the fundraising lunch for Palestine. It would be just like a friendly warm hand, showing them that we care, and this injustice is not acceptable.”
The event will raise funds for two key community organisations in Occupied Palestinian Territories—Adalah Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights, and Gaza Community Mental Health Programme. These organisations have been operating under immense strain over the past few weeks, with very little incoming funding as they contend with military bombardment.
"It's important [for] me to help families and kids who are struggling with their purpose to live over [in] Gaza in the last 70 years,” says Ahmed Albasheer, an event organiser. “Everyone should speak up. They have been occupied for long periods – we should stand up to end the Israel territories on Palestinians and the land."
The event will take place on unceded Dharrawal and Yuin country, and will include a Welcome to Country. Berkeley Neighbourhood Centre’s hall is a wheelchair accessible space with disabled toilet facilities and disabled parking spots.
