Post by fxk
With all that’s going on at the moment, thought it’s worth sharing about the Plant the Land Team in Gaza. I’m sure some of us are already aware of them: they’ve previously mentioned how strong the support from the vegan community has been.
A vegan initiative and community activist project led by Anas Arafat, combining veganism, ecology, communalism, and mutual aid to empower Palestinians. They work to provide vegan food and basic necessities (medicine, blankets etc) to families in Gaza, as well as planting food forests and gardens with the aim of helping Gaza become food autonomous and less reliant on imports.
I only came across Plant the Land earlier this month as things escalated in Palestine, when VegFest reposted an old article by Laura Schleifler (co-founder) about veganism and liberation within Gaza, and read about their amazing and crucial work: despite being 2 years old, her piece describes actions and attitudes that we’re still witnessing today.
They are still posting updates from within Gaza via their facebook page (swipe for a recent post). Working hard to help provide food and other basic needs and care to the many families who have lost their homes to Israeli airstrikes. And it seems like they are still accepting donations*.
As far as i know (which isnt much I admit) I dont think they (or any similar org) are listed for support via the abillion app (but i pray to hell i’m wrong, please correct me if so). I’m aware that this has happened before with abillion supporting vegan community kitchens in Ukraine, so i’m hopeful (obviously I don’t know how the donation side of abilion actually works, do enlighten us!). Here’s hoping that they get the recognition they so deserve, and more importantly the support they need to continue helping the people of Palestine.
Stay safe everyone, my heart goes out to all of you. Keep fighting for social justice and the liberation of all who are oppressed.
Footnotes/Edits:
* Laura has set up a paypal link to send emergency funds to: https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8YgJLU0aBX
References:
All images in this post were screengrabs from from Plant the Land’s webpage and facebook page.
Webpage: http://www.planttheland.org/ ( + their facebook page with up-to-date posts).
Laura Schleifler’s piece calling out vegan-washing (published 2021): https://issuu.com/vegfestuk/docs/forca_vegan_magazine_issue_2/s/12798484
Podcast interview with Anas and Laura (published 2021): https://totalliberationpodcast.com/72-plant-the-land-team-gaza-teams-up-with-million-dollar-vegan-w-laura-schleifer-and-anas-arafat/
#abilion #antiapartheid #antioppression #antizionism #foodjustice #freegaza #freepalestine #Gaza #humanrights #mutualaid #nakba #palestine #palestinianrights #plantthelandteamGaza #solidarityforever #totalliberation #untilallarefree #vegansforpalestine #veganisnotscary
Also, a powerful piece by Laura Scheifler on vegan-washing. Always found it ironic that the IDF issues vegan combat boots and wool-free berets for vegan soldiers so they can march into battle knowing that no living creature has been harmed. 4 likesReply
I imagine most of us are wondering how we can help (what use is this post otherwise!). I’ve since sought more information and updates.
(CW: description of war victims) To my understanding, Anas, his wife and children have had their home destroyed, and are sleeping on the streets exposed to white phosphorus bombs, especially since Israel tends to bomb through the night.
Still, their work carries on. Laura has set up a paypal link with updates and info on how we can send emergency funds to, so that they can continue doing the work they do:
https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8YgJLU0aBX
(I’ve now included the link within the original post)
Please share any other information that you might have, whether it’s about Plant the Land or any similar group in the region. I really appreciate it. Stay safe, stay strong everyone. Forever in Solidarity. 2 likesReply