The Big Ride for Palestine 2021
July 29 to August 1
What we did.....
4 days riding - over 200 riders per day - 45+ miles per day - 4 rallies - many, many supporters
raised over £90,000 inc. gift aid for MECA and over £10,000 for Palestine Riders
Incredible atmosphere of solidarity and friendship and outstanding support everywhere
Why we rode in 2021
The Big Ride has a ride event every summer where we focus on building solidarity and raising funds for a project for children in Palestine.
Following the resolution adopted by the TUC in 2020 on Justice for Palestine, as well as reports by Human Rights Watch, the UN and the Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem which describe the apartheid practices of the Israeli state, The Big Ride is putting the issue of apartheid at the centre of its campaigning work. We hope that this will unite people in solidarity with the people of Palestine in the same way that we were united in the Anti-Apartheid struggle in South Africa.
We think that it is important that we take a stand on this question and feel, as so eloquently put by Desmond Tutu, that:
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor”
The Big Ride is opposed to all forms of racism including Islamophobia and Antisemitism. We welcome the 2021 Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism which makes it clear that fighting for the rights of Palestinians, which will often involve criticism of Israel and its policies, is not antisemitic.
The Big Ride for Palestine has produced a report on Israeli Apartheid available below. Please see accompanying video
Fundraising for Rafah
Last year The Big Ride fundraised successfully for a playground in Khuza'a. which has now been built and is well used. This year we are fundraising for a similar project in Rafah - for the creation of a recreational park to be a safe space for children traumatised by bombing and siege to be able to take part in cycling, football, basketball, tennis and walking with an emphasis on activities for women and girls.
The Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA) is planning to construct a network of playgrounds in Gaza that will allow children to visit other playgrounds and make new friends and connections
Our fundraiser has raised over £95,000.
Palestine Riders
This year we have run a funding challenge focused for one day, on 17 July, using the LaunchGood platform, to support Palestine Riders in setting up a children's cycling club in the Am'ari Refugee Camp in the West Bank. This has raised £10,000
A message to The Big Ride from MECA in Rafah
Children in the Am'ari Refugee Camp
Using the map....
Click the icon to the left of the heading to see a list of stops.
Click the icon top right of map to enter full screen
Photos from the ride
Raising Solidarity with Palestine In Unions & Organisations
Some of our riders have already successfully raised our solidarity resolution in their unions or Labour Party wards. Last year, riders raised support from the NEU, UNISON, UNITE and many other community and campaigning groups. Click here for the resolution
