Rasing Aid for those in the Middle East

We’ve all heard the terrible news coming out of Palestine and Israel. Hundreds are dying every day, families are grieving and waiting to hear news on those who are missing or taken as hostages.

Support at the links above:

Tens of thousands in Gaza are lacking basic necessities and are in critical need of aid. Many injured and grieving people in Israel need support too. We cannot turn a blind eye because the situation is politically and ethnically complex. Those who are suffering need care and compassion – from us and our governments.

Background of the Current Situation:

The terrible scenes of suffering we’ve seen on the news from Gaza and Israel, leave us with a sense of misery that makes all remedies, opinions, and prayers seem trite.

Denouncing the killing of innocent civilians is not political. People deserve access to water, food, medical aid, and basic safty. Turning a blind eye because the situation is politically and ethnically complex, is at best weak and at worst a statement of intent; “I'm alright, Jack.”

Charities working in the area such as Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), Magen David Adom, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are giving humanitarian aid to those who need it. International Committee of the Red Cross and MSF are calling for an immediate de-escalation or ceasefire and for humanitarian corridors in the Gaza Strip to let aid in(1,2).

We have chosen to support the PRCS who are one of the few charities remaining on the ground in Gaza . A population of around 2 million people, 60% of who are under 25(3), are trapped in an area of 360km squared – one third the size of Greater Manchester. Water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are all critical low, aid and a ceasefire is critically needed(4).

I’m choosing to do this publicly to encourage charity and discussion. The horrific acts of murder and torture committed against Israelis people on Black Saturday means we must offer our sympathy, solidarity and support. Simultaneously, these events cannot be a reason to condone further acts of violence against innocent people.

Desperately needed aid is starting to trickle into the Gaza Strip. Around 300 people a day are dying and over a 700 per day being wounded(5). It seems a humanitarian pause is possible in the foreseeable future, a stream of aid form the UN and charities is must be ready to flood the area as soon as possible. You can help. Our resources and solidarity must be with those who are suffering need, and grieving loved ones.

We’re offering a small 3D print (For £12.50-£13.75) with proceeds (£10.50) going to the PRCS. The logic of doing this is to platform a discussion, you to have something tangible from the donation, and perhaps selfishly for us to feel some purpose in the face of yet another terrible unfolding crisis. We’ll be running this item till Christmas (24/12/23).

Links to charities offering support in the region below:

Artifacts found in Gaza.

The fertile crescent is a region stretching from Egypt along the Eastern Mediterranean coast through Palestine and Israel down the Euphrates to the Persian Gulf(1). This region is likely home to more modern human history than any other place on earth.

It’s the location of the oldest town, Jericho(2), and the likely location of our first attempts at organised farming techniques.

Naturally, the whole region including the Gaza Strip, has a rich trove of archaeological finds. In 2022 the Hamas run Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in Gaza unveiled a carved stone head found by a farmer Nidal Abu Eid(3). The find is broadly attributed to the ancient Canaanite people dating possibly to around 3000-4500 years ago; depicting Anat the goddess of war and serpents. This was one of very few artifacts we could find online attributed to the region - a testament to the disenfranchisement of the locality from its history. Details on the piece are scarce, with some questions of authenticity raised(4,5). When the Canaanites were in Gaza the area was a powerful trade route populated by pagans with gods who would eventually mutated and evolve to influence Abrahamic religions and stories.

Gaza has a long cultural history, with strong ties to the Egyptian societies, various Bronze Age settlements, and the was part of the Greek and Roman worlds. Because of sustained conflict in the region very few archaeological finds or sites are widely celebrated.

Between bombing from the Israeli Deference Force, missed-fired munitions from Hamas and other terrorist groups, and the death nail of smugglers and grave robbers(6); the heritage of those who live in Gaza is largely expunged. Hamas also have a history of mismanaging historical sites destroying the remains of a Canaanite town in 2017(7).

The piece we’ve chosen to reproduce via our 3D printers is a replica of gold medallion depicting Jupiter and Roman emperor Diocletian dating to 249AD. It was sold for a record £1.8M by Classical Numismatic Group at an auction in New York(8). Although, the origin of the piece is listed as unknown, the small but dedicated community of archaeologists who live and dig in Gaza strongly suspect the coin was smuggled out of the region from a hoard found in 2022(6). This wouldn’t be the first time valuable and culturally significant items were stolen from the Palestinian people. In 2017 Richard Beale working for another British auction house, falsified provenance and helped sell smuggled coins from the period of Alexander the Great found in Gaza (9).

I think it could be fitting that a medallion which probably could have been a source of pride and heritage for the people of Gaza, may still be of benefit, albeit in a very humble £10.50 donation to the PRCS.

If you just want to donate and aren’t fussed with the 3D printed keep sake - then best donate directly and keep the £2.00-£3.25 in big business fees. We can still give you a shout out if you send a donation ID to us!

UK Delivery Option: £10.50 goes to PRCS, £0.75 goes to Royal Mail, £0.66 goes to PayPal, £0.29 goes to our Bank, £0.37 goes to Squarespace and Chapel Prints covers the £0.10 ish variable handling costs.

International Delivery Option: £10.50 goes to PRCS, £2.00 goes to Royal Mail, £0.66 goes to PayPal, £0.29 goes to our Bank, £0.37 goes to Squarespace and Chapel Prints covers the £0.10 ish variable handling costs.

If you donate less than the suggested about we’ll still past it on minus fees and give you a shout out but reserve the right to not send out the 3D print.

Donate

Thank yous

  • Cheers Mr Ammonite!

    We’ve sent out your medallion!

    Invoice ID: 47S391225H78XXXXP, Date 05/11/2023

    Donation ID:PRCS11XXX7, Date: 05/11/23

  • Cheers Lewis Ward

    We’ll send out your medallion tomorrow!

    Invoice ID: 6JS839296J68XXXX8, Date 06/11/2023

    Donation ID:PRCS12XXX2, Date: 06/11/23