Various Western Australian organisations are hosting charity events to raise money for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Organisations in Margaret River and on Curtin University’s campus are raising awareness of the struggle of the people of Palestine, in the context of the Israel/Hamas conflict.

Celebrate Palestine South West is collaborating with the Naji Art Collective to host an art exhibition/fundraiser titled Sumud: Voices from Palestine. All funds raised will be donated to Palestinian charities providing vital emergency aid.

The event will be held in Margaret River on September 22 and local artists will contribute works inspired by Palestinian resilience.

Celebrate Palestine South West event organiser Ned Reilly said the event is special because incredible international artists are coming together to exhibit their work.

“We’re talking about something that’s very political in a space we’re hoping people feel more comfortable, being an art exhibition. Hopefully that’s going to help people recognise the humanity of those artists and the subjects they’re depicting,” he said.

He added that there are lots of fantastic organisations in WA to keep an eye on, including Curtin’s Palestinian Society: “Supporting anyone who’s going out and standing up to the Government who are complicit in this genocide, as well as making a stand is great. Those are the groups that people should get involved with.”

Statistics provided by the Euro-Med human rights monitor indicate that almost 50,000 Palestinians were killed the first 300 days of attack by Israeli forces.

Students for Palestine is a group of university students in Western Australia who stand with Palestine, running various events for students and people in the community to get involved.

Students for Palestine’s Bennie Playford said they are a national organisation fighting for peace and justice across the whole region of historic Palestine.

A recent Students for Palestine protest at Curtin University. Photo by: Connor Kidd

“The organisation has grown much larger since there has been more widespread care for Palestine since the latest genocide that is happening against the Palestinians. We are fighting for a free Palestine and for peace and justice,” she said.

The group is also supporting the Tamil community which is calling for permanent visas for members of the Tamil community who have been in limbo for 12 years since fleeing genocide in Sri Lanka. Ms Playford, spoke from a Tamil refugee encampment outside of Labor MP Sam Lim’s office about how people can make their first step to get involved in calling for peace and justice.

“Coming and getting involved with the organising of protests and coming and getting involved with our club is so important and we need as many people as possible,” she said.

Ms Playford emphasised the importance of students getting involved on campus: “That first step would be to get involved with our club on the Curtin University campus, if they are a Curtin Student. We also have weekly meetings for Friends of Palestine for those who aren’t on the campus.”

If you would like to know more and get involved in one of these events visit Students for Palestine WA and Celebrate Palestine South West for more information.