Fighting for Humanity: The Role of Fundraisers and Solidarity in the Struggle for Palestine and Lebanon
How do you cope with what's happening in the world?
How do we continue with our daily lives when people we care about are stuck in the most well-documented genocide we’ve ever seen? How are we supposed to even go for a coffee while this is ongoing? We can't live a normal life, obviously, and we shouldn't. But there is a manageable in-between that we can reach, because what good does it do for the people of Palestine and Lebanon if we take ourselves out in the fight? This article illustrates how a fundraiser can not only help the people receiving the donations, but also those actively participating in the event. It's a story about how we need certain things to stay afloat in these challenging times—and how sometimes, those needs align with the needs of the Palestinians and Lebanese.
The Palestine & Lebanon Film Week in Barcelona took place from October 27–31, 2024. What started as an idea eventually grew into an event that drew around 500 people. The film week created a space where everyone was united by a common goal: fighting for justice for Palestine and Lebanon. It felt like a home—a refuge in the middle of an ongoing storm. It was heartwarming to see people come together, contributing their time and money, knowing that their presence and support were not backing a for-profit company, but rather an organization and people dedicated to doing good. The event raised nearly €7,500, which will be donated to Beitelbaraka (@beitelbaraka), Support Medical Emergency Efforts in Besieged Northern Gaza (whydonate.com), along with 8 other NGO:s and grassroot initiatives.
The event’s first day, Sunday, October 27, started at Casa Moura’s studio in PobleNou, Barcelona. The space was created with the help of Casa Moura, which is run by Jana Antoun, Leila El Maamar, Arianne Erlicher and Seo Lee. Jana’s sister Yara Antoun also helped to put everything together. The whole day was a movement in itself—an expression of solidarity. Walking into a room filled with people wearing keffiyehs and being surrounded by artwork representing Palestine and Lebanon, you felt an overwhelming sense of peace amid the chaos. The conversations that took place touched on light-hearted as well as heavy topics, and the films sparked both laughter and tears.
Beyond Casa Moura’s contribution, Maya Bushnaq played a crucial role in ensuring everything ran smoothly. Wherever you looked, Maya was there. Stefano, aka Funky Salad, contributed significantly to the event and also performed DJ sets. Additionally, a Palestinian platform dedicated to supporting the cause gathered musicians through their collective Zilzal Platform (meaning earthquake in Arabic). Liyan Kaawach helped bring people together, and her short film The Time We Meet opened the week’s screenings. Over 25 artists participated in various ways—whether through art displays, DJing, performing music, or contributing panel discussions. The event featured 15 film screenings, and despite not mentioning every contributor, it’s evident that when forces unite, big things are possible.
From Monday to Wednesday, the exhibition was moved to Curtis Audio Café, where Guillermo De Juan, the music bar's owner, previously had hosted screenings about Palestine and Lebanon. On Thursday, the event was moved to Salvadiscos, which is owned by Guillermo’s business partner. The closing day provided an opportunity for reflections on the week—sharing stories and discussions. People walked away with new friends, memories, and hope, and all of it contributed to the growing recognition of Palestine and Lebanon. The fight for freedom and justice for these countries strengthened as a result.
To return to the question we started with: we can’t live a normal life while watching this from a distance, but we also can’t allow ourselves to drown in despair. To drink that coffee, to take a breath, to preserve our humanity—we must act. Action doesn’t have to be monumental to be meaningful. It could be something as powerful as The Palestine & Lebanon Film Week, a space where stories are shared, funds are raised, and solidarity is built. It could also be as simple as showing up, donating time and money, or spreading awareness. Every choice matters because every action that acknowledges the injustice—whether it’s boycotting, educating, speaking up, or resisting harmful passivity—contributes to dismantling the normalization of the genocide. This fight is about more than freeing Palestine and Lebanon. It's about keeping our shared humanity intact in the face of overwhelming darkness. Every act of recognition, every small stand we take, is a reminder that we are not indifferent.
We act not just for them, but for the world we want to create. To do nothing is a statement in itself. It shows where you stand—on the side of those who perpetrate injustice. To choose action, however small, is to align yourself with the fight for justice, humanity, and dignity. In a world where action is survival—both for the Palestinians and Lebanese, and for us—choosing not to act means choosing to remain silent in the face of suffering. Every action is a declaration of who we are and where we place our empathy. Where do you want to stand?
Text by Ida Wiedel
Pictures on LinkedIn (linked below) from Hamza Salti