2 days ago
'Thank you for showing up for Palestine': Coffee campaign raises €100k for Gaza
The organisers of the Coffee for Palestine campaign met last week to celebrate reaching their fundraising target of €100,000 for the people of Gaza.
Organisers said they are 'so grateful and deeply moved' by the support they received and the donations made to the campaign, which has now raised €100,000 for charities and communities on the ground in Gaza.
'From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every person, café, restaurant, and supporter who gave what they could, stood with us, and helped turn this act of solidarity into something meaningful,' organisers posted on Instagram.
'We know there are still some cafés yet to donate, so the fundraiser will stay open a little longer. But this moment, reaching our goal, is something we want to pause and honour.
'This doesn't stop here. We'll continue to keep Palestine in our hearts, in our conversations, and in our actions, wherever and however we can. Thank you for showing up for Palestine. Let's keep it going!'
Participating businesses pledged the value of 10 coffees a day for seven days to the Coffee For Palestine campaign from June 23 to June 29, and the donation link remained open for those who wished to help the campaign reach its target.
The campaign reached many counties across Ireland, with more than 270 cafés, 51 of which were Cork-based, as well as international cafés in the Netherlands, Germany, Bosnia, Scotland, and South Africa, taking part this year.
The brainchild of Clare Condon of Good Day Deli, Eman Alkarajeh of Izz Café, and Deirdre Breen of Studio Boon, the Coffee for Palestine campaign began in June 2024 when organisers were so distraught about what was happening in Gaza, that they felt they had to do something as opposed to helplessly watching what was unfolding through their phone screens.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Clare Condon of Good Day Deli said a lot of thought, work, planning and strategy went into their first campaign, with an aim to keep the campaign as simple and as sharable as possible so that it was easy for others to get involved and raise as much funds as possible.
More than 150 cafés and restaurants were involved in 2024 and more than €50,000 was raised for charities and communities on the ground in Gaza.
That success was surpassed this year, with more than 270 establishments taking part and €100,000 raised.
The Coffee for Palestine team met at Izz Café this week to mark the significant milestone which they described as 'a small moment of hope and solidarity in the midst of ongoing devastation'.
'During our visit, we were deeply moved to receive a beautiful letter from the team at Café Izz,' organisers said, sharing the letter to social media.
The letter from Izz Café read:
'To the incredible team behind Coffee for Palestine - Eman, Clare, and Deirdre, There are no words strong enough to truly express the depth of our gratitude and admiration for what you have done. Once again, you have turned your compassion into action, your love into impact - building bridges of solidarity between Ireland and Palestine.
'This year, over 270 cafés across the country joined your call. More than 900 generous donors stepped forward, hand in hand with you, to stand with Gaza in its darkest hour. Together, you created a national movement — rooted in justice, brewed with empathy, and poured with unwavering love.
'Your commitment is not only inspiring, it is profoundly moving. You have shown that solidarity knows no borders, and that kindness - when rooted in purpose — can move mountains.
'On behalf of the entire Izz Café family, and from the hearts of every Palestinian you stand beside, thank you. Thank you for being a voice, a light, and a lifeline.
'You have brought hope to Gaza. You have brought healing to hearts. And you have reminded us all what it truly means to be human.
'With love, pride, and endless appreciation, The Izz Café Team.'
Condon said 100% of the proceeds from the campaign will go directly to five organisations providing urgent support on the ground in Gaza.
Those organisations include: Gaza go Bragh, a grassroots Irish initiative fundraising directly for emergency aid, water and food in Gaza; Unicef Gaza Gaza Crisis Response, delivering life-saving supplies and protection for children in Gaza; Medicine Sans Frontiers, offering vital surgical care, medical aid, and mental health services in Gaza's overwhelmed hospitals; Palestinian Red Crescent Society, emergency medical responders, providing ambulances, trauma care, and humanitarian relief; and Communities on the Ground, a community-led giving initiative, selected by Eman from Izz Café.
