The conflict between Israel and Palestine has been going on for decades, but the genocide being committed by Israel since 2023 has forced the entire world to take a stand. In the Philippines, while seemingly unlikely, The Cafe Mediterranean has actively taken a political stand and has been one of the more vocal establishments to speak up for Palestine and help support victims and refugees of the war in Gaza.
The Cafe Mediterranean has been around since 1994 and has steadily grown its number of locations across Metro Manila, serving dishes from various countries around the Mediterranean Sea. Recently, they launched a special menu, with proceeds going to Palestinian refugees through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Marla Moran, who has been running the cafe for almost 32 years now, believes there was never much question about whether the restaurant should get involved.
“I have no respect for the conflict, absolutely none. What Israel is doing is immoral. It’s disgusting. It shouldn’t be there,” Moran told Rolling Stone Philippines. “I figured Cafe Med, we have a platform, so might as well use it,” she added.
On April 1 of this year, Cafe Med posted a statement on their Instagram account, sharing their special menu as well as what they advocate for. “The war in Iran, the subsequent invasion of Lebanon, and the continued suffering of the Palestinian people are further magnifying the chaos and unrest occurring in many places around the world. As a Mediterranean restaurant, we are especially conscious of what is happening to the homes where our favorite dishes were originally cooked,” the statement read.
They have also been upfront with customers about the rising costs due to the ongoing war, admitting that the restaurant has to increase its prices slightly while trying to limit how much it could affect customers.
Despite many people telling Moran that their advocacy could turn people away, Moran’s response is simple: “I don’t care.” She acknowledged that taking a public stance was a big risk, but for her, people should really care about the Palestinians. “It was a big risk, but I didn’t care. Because people should care about the Palestinians. If you can tell, I’m really passionate about this,” she said.
The act of donating is nothing new for the restaurant. Moran shared that they have been donating for a long time now. First, starting in 2023 through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) before the organization admitted that they could not penetrate Palestine. Now, their donations go to UNRWA instead, whose proceeds they say go directly to the Palestinians.
“And every quarter, we have a Zoom call, and they tell us where the money is going. It’s a good cause,” Moran said. She also shared that they recently had a successful fundraiser for Palestine, where the Palestinian ambassador came over, as well as some guests.
“Because so many people wanted to come. We couldn’t accommodate everybody. But given the chance, we will again. Now, we are doing another fundraiser for the UNHCR. It’s up to them where they want to donate the money,” she said.
Aside from Palestine, the restaurant has also donated to Syrian refugees, as well as here in the Philippines. As Moran explains, “Cafe Med’s been around for a while, and I’m happy to say we’re doing well. So it’s our turn to give back.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Metro Manila restaurant, running since 1994, donates special menu proceeds to Palestinian refugees through UNRWA. Owner Marla Moran says the restaurant has a platform and chose to use it.
Donations go to UNRWA. The restaurant previously gave through UNHCR before the agency said it could not reach Palestine directly.
The Cafe Mediterranean holds a quarterly Zoom call with UNRWA, which briefs the restaurant on fund usage — transparency Moran cites as central to the partnership.
Owner Marla Moran cites rising costs from the war has made them slightly raised their prices, while also acknowledging that the restaurant’s advocacy could turn away some customers.
The restaurant has also donated to Syrian refugees and Philippine causes, which Moran frames as giving back after decades of steady organic growth.
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