Featured Art by Juan Gee | @JuanGeeDraws
Hi, Cartoonist Cooperative Journal readers!
As you may know, Palestinians in Gaza are being subjected to internet and communications blackouts as part of the ongoing siege by Israel. Members of the Cartoonist Co-op are getting involved in a new way to combat this violence by offering art in exchange for those who donate e-SIMs to Palestinians through the Connecting Gaza Campaign.
This campaign has been running since early November, but we want to make sure that everyone who’s interested in our activities is kept up to date. Read on to see how you can contribute to these efforts!
What is it?
The Connecting Gaza campaign supplies e-SIMs to people on the ground in Gaza, allowing them to circumvent internet disruption/blackout during the siege and continue connecting with the wider internet.
A digital SIM card (called an e-SIMs) works the same as a physical SIM Card, providing data and SMS for a phone number. E-SIMs are one of few resources that can be directly accessed without blockage by people on the ground in Gaza.
Artists from the Cooperative will be offering art in exchange of the value of the donated e-SIMs.
Click here to learn more or read the following info!
How Does It Work?
Step 1
You purchase the e-SIM card and plan of your choice through one of the three providers (keep an eye on our social media and this post in case this list updates):
Purchase any of the e-SIM plans from
- Nomad (Regional Middle East e-SIM) (Global e-SIM)
- Mogo (Israel e-SIM)
- Holafly (Israel e-SIM) (Global e-SIM)
- Simly (Regional Middle East OR Palestine e-SIM)
Step 2
Donate the QR code to GazaESIMS@gmail.com.
Step 3
Redeem your art and spread the word! Share your donation and the campaign far and wide!
Check out some of our artists’ offerings, and keep checking as the list continues to grow!
FAQ
We’re here to help! Here’s some information to help you navigate the process.
What’s An e-SIM?
A digital SIM card (called an e-SIM) works the same as a physical SIM card, providing data and SMS for a phone number. It is activated via QR code or a link.
e-SIMs are popular for international tourism because they allow foreigners to access data as if from a local phone. e-SIMs can be supplied locally (access to data in the US) or regionally (access to data for North America, including US and Canada).
Why e-SIMs?
e-SIMs are one of the few resources that can be directly accessed without blockage by people on the ground in Gaza.
Regional e-SIMs (providing for the Middle East) can “borrow” signal from surrounding networks in other countries, including Israel, when local networks are down or disrupted.
Which Plan Should I Buy? Which Is The Best Service?
It’s up to you! Each e-SIM service caters to different areas within Gaza, and each plan provides different needs.
Ideally, there should be an even spread of the cheaper plans and the more substantial plans.
Cheaper plans are important because installation of e-SIMs can be fickle, especially to some Gazans who are unfamiliar with the process. If an expensive e-SIM is redeemed and fails to activate properly, the e-SIM is blocked and can no longer be used. Cheap e-SIMs allow for installation in cases like this without waste.
Larger plans are important for journalists and coordinators who require more data for their work.
How Do I Donate The e-SIM Card?
Forward the QR code (a CLEAR screenshot or the email containing the QR code) to GazaESIMS@gmail.com.
Receipts without the QR code DO NOT COUNT! Links-only activation is NOT accepted!
The QR codes are the e-SIMs themselves.
Connecting Gaza has a helpful visual step-by-step of the process, as well as further instructions on how to donate, too!
How Do I Redeem My Art?
Head over to the Co-op’s e-SIMs for Gaza page where you’ll find our database of participating artists. Scroll through, find someone you like, and send proof of your donation (your receipt) to the e-SIM Donation Redemption Form with the name of your artist of choice. Please only select one artist!
How Do I Contact An Artist?
Your artist of choice will contact you at the email your provide in the e-SIM Donation Redemption Form. We are all volunteers, so it may take a few days for them to get back to you. We appreciate your patience!
I’m An Artist- How Can I Help?
This campaign is part of the Cartoonist Cooperative- if you’d like to help, you’ll need to join the cooperative as a member. Keep in mind that you’ll still need to meet our requirements for acceptance before participating and may still have responsibilities outside of this campaign to maintain your membership.
How Long Will This Campaign Last?
This campaign has been running since early November of 2023 and will continue to run until Connecting Gaza says e-SIMs are no longer needed.
