Last year, while at one of the Sunday rallies for Palestine, I met an older woman who was selling key-rings to raise money for a family she knows in Gaza. I bought one from her, and asked for the details of the family she was trying to help. Since that day, I've been regularly speaking to Yousef and Dahlia, a young Palestinian couple who are expecting their first baby in a matter of weeks. Over the months, we've gotten closer. We've shared many messages and videos — including one terrifying clip that Yousef sent after the Nuseirat massacre, where he narrowly avoided death by artillery fire. Two of Dahlia's cousins were killed during the massacre.

This beautiful couple have already endured so much, and they're so young, at just 23. Yousef studied Medical Records Management at Al-Azhar (one of many universities in Gaza bombed by Israel), but hasn't had the opportunity to work in his field yet. Before October 7, he worked casual jobs in construction and plastering, and never asked anyone for anything. He feels ashamed of taking money from strangers. He desperately wants to provide for his family — which is about to grow by one — but there's no work in Gaza. There's just destruction everywhere. He's extremely worried about Dahlia. Many women worry about childbirth; whether to go public or private, whether or not to have an epidural. These are choices Dahlia doesn't have. She just prays that the IDF doesn't start bombing while she's in labour. The terror is unimaginable.

Yousef and Dahlia are not seeking to flee to Egypt. They're quite literally just trying to survive this genocide however they can, and create a future for their baby in Palestine. In the 6+ months I've known them, they have never once pressured me for money, even though they desperately need it. They are genuine, kind, resilient people who I've grown to love. They need food, clothes and bedding for their new baby. Let's help them out.

On Saturday July 6th at 6:30pm, come down to Black Spark (126A Gladstone Ave, Northcote), meet some new people, have a chat, and enjoy some home-made pizza and some tunes.

Tickets are $30, and all money raised will be going straight to Yousef and Dahlia.

Contact the host of Merri-Bek 4 Palestine Fundraiser

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