It was an emotional finale for the big ride for Palestine in 2023 in Meanjin. Sad because of the passing of Olfat Mahmoud and joyous because of the celebration of forty-three riders and walkers covering six thousand kilometers, the equivalent of going from Jerusalem to Singapore not quite making it to Australia but not bad. We raised another $8,300 for projects in Palestine and in the refugee camps in Lebanon. This followed on from The Big Ride for Palestine raising $15,000 for Olfat Mahmoud to pay for her treatment and rehab in Lebanon. Thanks to all the riders and walkers. Thanks to our union and community sponsors and an especially thanks to donors who have supported this ride.
The finale was special because we heard from Omar Ashour , President of Falesteen Inc for five years, we listened to Jeff Knight spell out the amount of support from Labor Friends of Palestine and rank-and-file members of the ALP. Labor friends have proved themselves as strong supporters of Palestine. We thank their members for their attendance, participation in our events and their kind donations. Jeff outlined the pervasive nature of the the Israeli lobby in Australia and their unsuccessful attempts to shut down the Palestine Fair Trade (Australia) stall at the West Markets.
Lachlan Hurse spoke for the Big ride for Palestine and Ian Curr gave a tribute for the work of Olfat Mahomoud. Sameer and Rasheed from the al Zaytoun (Olive) dancers led a group of 20 supporters in the dabke, a traditional Palestinian dance. Four riders: Sue, Tejaal, Lachlan and Ian set out on a 26 kms river loop in the cool at 8 am, seeing Meanjin in springtime with both Jacarandas and Silky Oaks in full bloom, purple and yellow.
The Australian trade union movement has been involved in support for Palestine ever since the terrible 1982 massacre of Palestinian refugees at the Sabra and Shatilla refugee camps in Beirut, Lebanon. Then President of the ACTU, Cliff Dolan, along with two nurses Helen McCue and Olfat Mahmoud set up Union Aid Abroad (APHEDA). The big ride for Palestine carries on the tradition of international Solidarity of Workers in Australia for the struggle of the Palestinian people against the settler state of Israel.
Palestine Fair Trade (Australia) had a stall at the finale and sold olive oil and Palestinian herbs Zaatar. There was a display of Big Ride jerseys and T-shirts dating back to 2017 when the big ride began in Australia. People can buy Palestinian produce from PFTA on the last Saturday of each month at the West End markets. Also people can buy T-shirts and jerseys by writing to “The Big Ride” thebigrideaustralia@outlook.com [T-shirts are $20 and jerseys are $40.] We also sell homegrown organic macadamia nuts for five dollars a bag. In your email please provide your size and your postal address so that we can mail out the T-shirts and jerseys.
Click to view slideshow of some photos from the Big Ride for Palestine 2023 (thanks to Lachlan Hurse).
Ian Curr
2 October 2023