As we are only too aware people in Gaza are clinging on to their land and their lives. At the heart of their identity lies culture, which is why Palestine Music Expo (PMX) is launching this heartfelt campaign to support the musicians and the music of Gaza.

Although I have never been there, I have visited the West Bank with PMX (see the video about their events) and have met many of these wonderfully talented musicians who yearn to expose their music to the world, even in this time of existential threat.

My heart equally goes out to the families of the hundreds of Israelis who were so brutally murdered on October 7th, particularly those music and peace lovers at the Nova Music Festival, many of whom would have loved the music and the spirit behind what that these Palestinian musicians are attempting to convey.

In 2019, PMX got permission for musicians from three of Gaza’s top groups, Watar Band, Typo and Sol Band, to leave and perform outside of Gaza for the first time.

In front of a two thousand-strong crowd in Ramallah, with top-tier production, they played to Palestinians from the West Bank, Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, Israel and the Diaspora and to PMX's international delegates. It was a special moment of connection and solidarity for everyone there.

Today, though, all those musicians are homeless and at risk, navigating perilous landscapes. Still, they continue to make music where they can amongst the ruins of Gaza.

PMX have held five music festivals in Gaza to bring joy and healing to thousands of children in Gaza City and Khan Younis and have also produced three music expos in Ramallah, where music industry professionals from around the world have come to learn about the lives of Palestinian musicians, hear the incredible talent that exists in their music community and to offer career and networking opportunities to those musicians who cannot otherwise connect internationally.

This video is of a PBS report, gives you a sense of the positivity and inclusiveness that PMX intends to convey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knhkhMM0BhU

I pray that Palestinian Musicians from Gaza and the West Bank, will one day be able to play freely abroad… and also in Israel.

Indeed I also hope one day Israeli musicians will collaborate with Palestinian musicians once again and will also be able to perform in Palestine..

“You May Think That I’m A Dreamer, But I’m not The Only One”.

It may seem like like a long way off, but musicians are often the ones who keep the hope and flame of peace alive and who can see past conflict and encourage peace. Music Brings People Together.

"Imagine"

With the help of the PMX team in Gaza and in accordance with PMX’s core principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability, ALL the money raised will be distributed to the artists and their families and will be used to fund music activities.

Amos Trust, PMX's charity partner, guarantee that Every Penny will be directly spent to support the musical soul of the Gazan people.

Please, Please help by donating now to keep this musical flame alive in Gaza.

Many thanks Stephen Budd

Peace ☮️

For more info : @palestinemusicexpo

https://justgiving.com/campaign/pmx-gaza