Pedals for Palestine: Cycling Norway for Gaza Soup Kitchen

Pedals for Palestine —

On the 7th of May, we — Mia (NZ) and Isaac (AUS) — embarked on a journey cycling the Arctic coast from Tromsø to Copenhagen. We are cycling over 3,000km across the length of Norway and the Swedish coast to raise funds and awareness for Gaza Soup Kitchen, a grassroots Palestinian family-run organisation providing hot meals and essential food supplies throughout Gaza.

For 11 weeks, no food, water, medical supplies, sanitary products or shelter entered Gaza. When the blockade recently ceased, UN aid distribution was banned, and is now controlled solely by a highly controversial joint US-Israeli foundation (GHF) that has since done little to impact the severity of the famine. Distribution centres are scarce, and Palestinians must travel up to 25kms to retrieve aid. Aid distribution has been “paused until further notice” for three days now (time of writing June 8) due to “crowding” at centres. Open fire from IOF soldiers has killed over 100 people and injured 600+ who were waiting at GHF sites within the past two weeks. 

Under the guise of the GHF, Israel continues to starve two million people, the majority of whom are displaced, living without a source of income and are entirely dependent on food aid. Over 470,000 Palestinians are currently in Phase 5 famine — the highest level of famine. 

Donating to a community kitchen is the fastest and most direct way to feed people during the ongoing genocide. Community initiatives such as Gaza Soup Kitchen serve as the only current safe, reliable source of aid for starving Palestinians. With prices continuing to soar and supplies of food and clean drinking water dwindling, funding could not be more vital. The funds raised through this ride will help Gaza Soup Kitchen bring daily sustenance to over 3,000 Palestinians. 

The Palestinian struggle should call us all to action. It is against our humanity to witness such unbearable suffering and not be driven to bring an end to it. Beyond suffering alone, the genocide has also highlighted fundamental flaws in international law and democracy that affect every one of us, and the enormous emissions from the constant bombardment of Gaza equaled the total annual emissions of over 100 countries in only the first 15 months. This affects everyone. 

Any contributions — big or small — would make a tangible difference. Please take a moment to visit https://gazasoupkitchen.com/ to learn about the vital work they are doing. 

Free Palestine

** Please note: Funds will be raised in USD as this is the currency Gaza Soup Kitchen is currently receiving funds in.