The ArtHouse Café was full to capacity for the ‘Medical Aid for Palestinians’ (MAP) fundraiser evening meal organised by Joan Phelan and Judith Gradwell on 8th February.
The group reports, “The 30 diners had a superb meal of Middle Eastern food cooked by Joan, with help from women in the Melksham ESOLG (English for Speakers of Other Languages Group). The Refa Restaurant also donated some of their speciality food.
“It was a very enjoyable evening with first bulgur wheat soup, then maftoul with tomato sauce accompanied by side dishes that included the traditional ingredients of aubergines, peppers, freekeh, hummus, lentils mint and parsley. And finally an amazing spread of Middle Eastern sweet dishes. But it was for a very serious purpose.
“The MAP charity provides medical help for Palestinians living in the West Bank occupied territories, Gaza, and refugee camps in Lebanon. Its current priorities include a mobile clinic for Bedouin communities in the Jordan Valley and emergency surgical care for residents in Gaza who have been shot while peacefully demonstrating for the right of return to their original villages.
“Leah Levine, a long-time supporter of MAP and a member of Jewish Voice for Labour gave the after-dinner speech highlighting some of the flagrant breaches of basic human rights being suffered by the Palestinians. As a Jew, she encouraged MAP supporters to continue to speak out against the actions of the Israeli Government and not to be silenced by accusations of antisemitism.”
Joan said, “I am exhausted and I could not have managed the evening without the help of the three volunteers from the ArtHouse Café. They served the food, did an enormous quantity of washing up and then got the café ready for opening the following morning. If anyone else is thinking of organising an event, they could not have a better venue.”
The group added, “The final outcome was a magnificent total of £1,000 that Joan can now send to MAP for vital medical assistance.”
