'Our cycling is a form of resistance': Gaza Sunbirds co-founder Karim Ali • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Gaza Sunbirds: A charitable organization founded in 2020 that uses cycling as a tool for rehabilitation and humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza.
• Paracycling: The practice of cycling by individuals with physical disabilities, used here as a form of both physical therapy and symbolic resistance.
• The Siege of Gaza: The long-standing blockade that restricts the movement of goods and people, creating severe logistical challenges for humanitarian efforts.
• Hope as a Discipline: A philosophical approach adopted by the organization, emphasizing that maintaining hope and action is a necessary, non-negotiable practice in the face of extreme adversity.
• Resistance through Identity: The act of maintaining cultural and athletic presence on the world stage as a counter-narrative to the erasure of Palestinian identity.

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1. Origins and Mission of the Gaza Sunbirds

The Gaza Sunbirds were co-founded by Kareem Ali and Alaa, a former Palestinian cycling champion. Alaa’s personal journey serves as the catalyst for the organization:

• The Turning Point: In 2018, while preparing for the Asian Games, Alaa was shot by an "illegal explosive Israeli bullet" during the Great March of Return. The resulting injury necessitated an amputation, which he initially described as the "amputation of his dreams."
• Evolution: Alaa transitioned into becoming Palestine’s first paracyclist. The organization was formally established in 2020 to provide others who suffered similar injuries with a pathway to rehabilitation through sport.
• Scope: Before the current conflict, the team consisted of 25 members ranging from 12 to 58 years old, all of whom had been impacted by various cycles of violence in Gaza (2008, 2014, 2018, 2021).

2. Operational Challenges and Logistics

The organization faced significant hurdles due to the ongoing siege:

• Resource Scarcity: At the inception, obtaining basic equipment was nearly impossible. Bicycles took months to import, and athletes lacked professional gear, often resorting to using shoestrings to secure their feet to pedals.
• Systemic Disruption: Every attempt to build a training program was repeatedly interrupted by military escalations, which destroyed infrastructure and halted progress.

3. Impact of the Post-October 2023 Conflict

The situation in Gaza reached a "crescendo" of destruction following October 2023:

• Humanitarian Crisis: Kareem Ali notes that over 90% of Gaza has been destroyed, with over 80,000 killed and 100,000 injured. He projects that the conflict will result in at least 38,000 new cases of permanent disability.
• Aid Distribution: Despite the danger, the Gaza Sunbirds have pivoted to become an official distribution partner for the World Central Kitchen, delivering food and essential supplies to starving populations.
• The Reality of Volunteers: Ali highlights the extreme conditions under which his team operates, noting that volunteers have often been too hungry themselves to carry out food distributions, yet they continue to work because "despair is a luxury" they cannot afford.

4. Global Advocacy and Symbolic Resistance

The organization utilizes international platforms to keep the Palestinian cause visible:

• International Solidarity: The team collaborates with global activists, such as 84-year-old Ann Jones, who supports the team by climbing summits in the Alps.
• Alpe d’Huez Challenge: Alaa and teammate Mohammad Al-Asfour are participating in a cycling challenge up Alpe d’Huez in France to raise awareness and funds.
• Resistance: Ali argues that the occupation’s objective is to erase Palestinian identity. By continuing to cycle and represent Palestine on the world stage, the team engages in a form of peaceful resistance against the attempt to silence them.

5. Notable Quotes

• "The occupation has shot more than 800 athletes and killed more than 800 athletes since the genocide began in Gaza." — Kareem Ali
• "Hope is a discipline, but despair is definitely a luxury, and it's been a luxury that we have not had." — Kareem Ali

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Synthesis and Conclusion

The Gaza Sunbirds represent a unique intersection of humanitarian aid, athletic rehabilitation, and political resistance. By transforming the trauma of amputation and displacement into a mission of service, the organization provides both physical sustenance and psychological hope to the people of Gaza. Their work highlights the resilience of the Palestinian people under extreme duress, emphasizing that even in the face of systemic destruction, the act of continuing to move forward—whether by bicycle or through aid distribution—serves as a powerful, defiant statement of existence.