'The solidarity we are feeling is beyond what we expected': Izz Café reopens for delivery and takeaway orders

Cork’s popular Palestinian restaurant, Izz Café, has re-opened today following a temporary closure as a number of its staff members were trying to contact relatives and friends trapped in Gaza by sustained bombardment from Israeli forces.

The proprietor of the café, Izzeddeen Alkarajeh, told The Echo that the support of the people of Cork had been ‘beyond expectations’ as he confirmed the re-opening of the Georges’ Quay premises for delivery and takeaway orders.

“We open again today as we are hoping to do some trade while we are renovating,” said Izz.

“They are so generous, we opened the door this morning and we found many envelopes and cards coming from Galway, from Dublin, from Limerick, from other cities, they are really making us so proud to be part of the community.

“We feel the generosity of the people and the solidarity we are feeling is beyond what we expected.” 

While Izz’s own family are in the West Bank which is much safer than Gaza at the present, other staff members have relatives in Gaza.

“My colleague, the chef, whose mother and siblings escaped their home and are sheltering in a building and the Israelis have started bombing United Nations buildings and they feel their time is coming.

“He’s very distressed and very nervous about his family because communication with them is fading now because they are cutting all power and internet and even the water supply and the food supply is also becoming scarce.” 

Izz also expressed his appreciation and that of his colleagues for the many messages of support left by customers and friends on the café’s social media platforms. 

“There were many messages of solidarity and offers to help and people asking for ways to donate,” he said.

The café has teamed up with a Dublin based organisation, Human Appeal Ireland, and will be offering customers the facility of donating to a collection box at their Georges’ Quay premises or online via humanappeal.ie.