News
Our PalCeilidh in May
Our final PalCeilidh before the summer break was another huge success. Roo & Neil lived up to their status as exciting and supremely talented musicians. They created such a joyful atmosphere and had everybody dancing gleefully. If you missed them, they’re on tour around Scotland in the Autumn, promoting their new album Play It Again, which you can listen to on bandcamp We’ll certainly invite them back to a PalCeilidh in the future. Last-minute ceilidh guests Sterenn and her French pals, were enthusiastically welcomed – Sterenn played the Bombard – the emblematic Breton oboe – it was a truly fabulous sound.
We raised £1028.87 from this May PalCeilidh. It has been donated to HIRN.
We have presented nine PalCeilidhs since last September and altogether we have donated £6283.31 – £4558.09 to HIRN; £1325.22 to the Glasgow Bethlehem Twinning Association; and £400 to ZarifAtToul-AsSamer, for the Dabka dance Ceilidh in January – this fundraising social enterprise helps orphans and mothers in the Palestinian camps of Jordan and Gaza.
Our monthly PalCeilidhs resume in the Autumn – last Friday of the month from September, put them in your diary.
And a big thank you to Humanitix – PalCafe has used the Non-Profit online ticketing system for all our events. In total, Humanitix has transformed over £8.5M of annoying booking fees into education and healthcare projects all over the world.
Founded in Australia, Humanitix is the only ticketing system providing social benefits and in 2018 won the Google Impact Challenge. Celebrity backer and ‘Head of Impact’ Hugh Jackman says that ‘by booking through Humanitix, you helped fund meals, healthcare, education, and life’s basic necessities for people who need it the most. 100% of its profits go to charity (with) $10 million in 2024 to charities focused on literacy, education and alleviating poverty, all at no extra cost to anyone! Humanitix has no shareholders, which means we behave differently to our competitors.” Humanitix.com
HIRN (Hebron International Resources Network)
Profits from the PalCeilidhs go to HIRN, whose work is small scale and focused locally – it shows how the money raised at the PalCeilidhs and other events in Glasgow are helping to sustain communities and make small improvements to the lives of people across Palestine.
HIRN’s latest report reveals that: “The economic situation in the West Bank is disastrous as Israeli authorities have revoked the work permits of more than 200,000 Palestinian workers who used to access workplaces inside Israeli proper on a daily basis. The Palestinian economic structure in the West Bank cannot accommodate these Palestinian workers due to severe movement restrictions as well as shortage of work opportunities. Given the fact that this situation has been ongoing for the past three years and the high poverty levels that it caused for millions of Palestinians, a large percentage of Palestinian workers opted to risk their lives to enter Israeli proper “illegally” to find some work to provide for their families dignified lives.
“We have seen so many cases of workers being shot (and killed) as they were trying to climb the Wall near Jerusalem to find some work.
“HIRN has dedicated a monthly allowance for six months for two orphan families left behind as the father was killed by Israeli forces while trying to reach work. On Wednesday June 17, when 39 Palestinian workers were caught by occupation forces trying to sneak through the forest of Battir (west of Bethlehem), they were placed in a bus taken to the Gush Etzion Army Base and treated with beatings, deprivation of water, food and sleep while being forced to sit in uncomfortable positions for days. They are not “security threats”; they are simple workers trying to provide for their families. The most likely scenario is that they will be fined around 4354 Israeli Shekels/£1,100 EACH to be released and they won’t be released UNTIL they pay the fine, regardless of time spent in prison.
“Of course, HIRN should be able to contribute to this cause, but not the entire amount.”
If you are able to help, donations to HIRN via the AMOS website will help these Palestinians to get back to their families.
April’s PalCeilidh
raised £968.39 for HIRN.
It also saw the return of the hugely popular Cat & Colin whose combination of fiddle and accordion had us dancing with delight. We had folk of all ages, some solo clàsach, some protest singing and a huge amount of jollity and togetherness.
We look to grow support for PalCafe from musicians, poets, singers and artists who would like to perform at our events. If you are interested in helping us to raise awareness and build solidarity with communities here in Glasgow and in Palestine, get in touch info@palcafe.org
March PalCeilidh
Belal was such a hit with everyone when he played at the February PalCeilidh that we invited him back to last week’s March PalCeilidh where he performed alongside the GLA Ceilidh Band making their PalCeilidh debut at what was a wonderful evening. Yuan from the Band “thoroughly enjoyed playing” for us and are keen to appear again later this year.
We are always looking to grow support for PalCafe from musicians, poets, singers and artists who would be interested in performing at our events. If you are interested in helping us to raise awareness and build solidarity with communities here in Glasgow and in Palestine, get in touch HERE
The Rishmawi Brothers in Glasgow
We welcomed George and Nidal Rishmawi in February. They took us on a journey across the Palestinian Heritage Trail and offered us a glimpse into the beauty of their homeland, and stories of life under occupation.
Cultural Heritage Under Threat: Preserving Identity Amid Occupation was an illustrated talk by the brothers, who are trekking guides, Palestinian cultural guardians and leading figures in the non-violent resistance movements.
After the talk, the hall was alive with conversation about past and future visits to Palestine, the beauty of the West Bank and threats to its future. During their visit, the brothers had time for a visit to Celtic Park and to sell us Palestinian goods in order to help fund their tour.
PalCafe hosted the event with the Glasgow Bethlehem Twinning Association, who have included some extracts from the talk on their YouTube channel – HERE
You can check out the Heritage Trail HERE and get inspired to plan your own trip.
News from The Hebron International Resources Network
PalCafe has donated the vast majority of net income from our events and activities to The Hebron International Resources Network (HIRN).
2025 has seen unprecedented settler violence and land confiscation across the West Bank. Nowhere is this more acute than in Masafer Yatta, where 19 communities in the South Hebron Hills face imminent forced displacement.
HIRN was founded to provide these communities — and others across the Hebron region — with hope and the support they need to remain on their land. HIRN is a small, community-led organisation that can respond quickly and personally to those in need. Known for its agility and compassion, HIRN provides practical help to individuals and families while building grassroots resilience rooted in dignity, sumud (steadfastness), and courage.
HIRN reports that in just the month of February 2026, they’ve achieved a huge amount and the money PalCafe has raised has gone towards this vital work. HIRN has provided practical protection and legal support including the opening of legal files objecting to seven ‘Stop Work’ orders and survey work to finalise these objections. They have also undertaken simple tasks such as manufactured a protective gate for a house frequently targeted by settler attacks.
Among examples of health & medical support, Jubbet Al Dib Clinic is now operational following renovation. At the clinic, Palestinian Medical Relief Society teams have resumed bi-weekly visits. HIRN has also secured and delivered a needed hearing device for a 31-year-old man with Down Syndrome after other organisations declined support.
In terms of shelter & Infrastructure, renovation materials were delivered to address severe dampness in a home in the Jaber Neighborhood of the Old City despite closures and checkpoints.
In Shuub Al Buttom, HIRN provided building materials to repair and extend rehabilitation works of a storm-damaged cave, including interior works and a washing machine.
In Haret Al Sheikh, materials were delivered to construct stairs and ceilings for a hazardous stairless home housing a family of five. The Beit Iskaria Mosque renovation was finished in time for Ramadan.
At the village of Birin, a new cesspool has been financed and initial construction undertaken.
Among education and child support projects, the Al Mughayyer Kindergarten now has garden toys after months of delay due to violence and the Beit Iskaria School Bus is now repaired, serving twenty students, with new tyres, brakes and full maintenance.
In the Old City of Hebron, HIRN has installed windows in a women-run NGO building near Beit Romano settlement.
Wadi Al Hussein now has a meeting hall and community centre despite severe closures and HIRN has delivered more than 200 trees, digging tools, and water storage containers.
February also saw HIRN launch a Ramadan campaign to distribute food parcels across vulnerable communities. With two-thirds of the needed monies secured, distribution is already underway.
And HIRN is still seeking donations to continue this work through Ramadan, You can donate here
And find out more about HIRN HERE
Our January PalCeilidh
was the first to feature traditional Palestinian Dabke Dance! Presented in collaboration with ZarifAtToul-AsSamer, a fundraising social enterprise project that helps orphans and mothers in the Palestinian camps of Jordan and Gaza, it was evening of music and joy. HUGE thanks to Samer and his Company, and to the evening’s featured musicians: Doctur Normul (debut album: The Arms of My Own Kindness out now) who, along with Shaun Moore added ‘a bit of rad to the trad’.
Feedback from many attendees has described it as the best yet: “there was such an uplifting feeling of solidarity in the room”, and Samer said “it was a pleasure to be with you, we were so happy to be there and we can’t thank you enough for what you do for our causes”.
Another commented: “it was a wonderful night, a Palestinian friend had questioned the nature of the event in the context of Gaza. Doubts were quickly dispelled and a growing sense of solidarity and humanity has shone through vividly, illuminating the kind of world WE want. This doesn’t in any way diminish the suffering and injustice inflicted on the people of Palestine, it strengthens the resolve to be part of the on-going movement that will eventually see justice and accountability.”
Support for PalCafe
Wael Shawish – The Scottish Palestinian Society
“This is a much needed project in Glasgow where supporters and people needing to learn about Palestine will be able to meet in a relaxing atmosphere where they can enjoy a coffee and maybe buy a gift and learn about Palestine’s past and present. We wish the PalCafe project every success and look forward to the opening date during 2026.”
The Scottish Palestinian Society (SPS) is a society for all Palestinians residing in Scotland. Non Palestinian friends can join as associate members.
Support for PalCafe
Dr Lizzie Eldridge, writer, activist
‘Our Palestinian sisters and brothers are arriving in Glasgow every month; many have been evacuated to study at Glasgow University. PalCafe provides a much-needed space and a wealth of activities that welcome Palestinians and Palestinian culture as an integral part of Glasgow, offering a safe space for people to meet and support each other. It is a place of hope, solidarity and, more than anything, love. I fully support PalCafe’s vital work and hope they find permanent premises soon and place Palestine in the very heart of Glasgow.’
Carol Morton, founding member of charities and Palestinian Fair Trade shops in Jerusalem and Edinburgh
I highly commend PalCafe’s objectives, most of which have obsessed me for decades: the selling of (fairly traded) goods from Palestinian producers, prevention and relief of poverty; and especially education about Palestinian history and culture. The Palestinian struggle has often been portrayed as a humanitarian crisis rather than one that has to do with identity, including culture, and self-determination. I look forward to PalCafé’s moving into a permanent home in Glasgow so that in future it may more fully accomplish these vital objectives, hopefully a small but important step on the road to a future of justice and peace.
November’s PalCeilidh at Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church Hall featured ceilidh dancing music from Fran, Joseph, Holli, Will & Kai. We also had Anna singing and Zac piping.
Huge PalCeilidh thanks to Babs Nigriogair, Jo Aitken and Mairi MacMillan for organisation and to John and all at the Church. Thanks too to the large band of helpers on the door and on the bar (and behind the scenes).
We presented the ceilidh in collaboration with the Glasgow Bethlehem Twinning Association and profits of £1,055 will be going to the School of Joy.
David Myles from GBTA thanked PalCafe “for the collaboration and support. The school is in Beit Sahour, Bethlehem. Father Mamdouh Abu Sada, the school’s founder, visited Glasgow in November. He talked about how special needs education is in its infancy in Palestine and, while remarkable work is being done, much of the methodology is still quite primitive. GBTA is exploring the possibility for two or three of the school’s teachers to visit Glasgow and spend “shadow” time with colleagues doing similar work here. We are very keen for PalCafe to come to fruition and stand ready to do what we can to help in the journey.”
Support for PalCafe
Dr Philippa Whitford:
“Having lived and worked in Gaza, I have been heartbroken watching the slaughter and destruction unfolding over the last two years, including the loss of friends and colleagues.
To overcome the feeling of helplessness in the face of such suffering, people have taken to the streets in protest, lobbied their MPs and organised fundraising for humanitarian charities.
PalCafe is a newly registered charity which has sprung from the grassroots of such action. They have already organised many events, including their monthly ceilidhs, and I look forward to them establishing a permanent venue in Glasgow to host informative political discussions along with cultural events in support of Palestinian sovereignty and peace.”
Dr Philippa Whitford is a politician, surgeon, former MP and Shadow Health Spokesperson. She has also worked as a medical volunteer in a United Nations hospital in the Gaza Strip and spent the 2016 parliamentary recess travelling to the West Bank to operate on women suffering from breast cancer, as well as advising hospitals in Gaza on how to improve healthcare.
Go to our JOIN US page and register your support if you’re interested in becoming a community shareholder or volunteer. You can help shape the future of PalCafe.
The proceeds from our September and October ceilidhs is going to help the Hebron International Resource Network (HIRN) to support its responsive and targeted work with some of the most threatened and marginalised Palestinian communities and individuals. HIRN is small and agile by design and is able to respond quickly when help is needed. They manage several grassroots humanitarian and development projects at any one time. HIRN is 100% volunteer led, so every penny goes to people who need it. HIRN is a partner of the AMOS Trust which provides admin support to the UK Friends of HIRN
Support for PalCafe
Professor Alison Phipps
As UNESCO Chair for Refugee Integration through Education, Languages and Arts at University of Glasgow and as someone who has worked continuously in Gaza with colleagues and students since 2009, I wholeheartedly support the PalCafé initiative as a symbol of solidarity, of practical hope and of justice. It is vital that the great heart-break at the failure of international state structures to prevent genocide, or to act when so ordered by the International Court of Justice, is addressed by ordinary people of good will, and is organised for remedy, vision and restoration. Palcafé offers us a means of channelling the great energies of the movements for justice in ways which are effective, practical and poetic. It builds on years of solidarity through education, and through staff and student initiatives at the University of Glasgow.
PalCafe Potbanging
PalCafe supporters join the local, national and international Pot Banging Campaign to generate mass support to end starvation in Gaza …