Neighbors rally behind Palestinian restaurant owner who lost family in Gaza

Khalid Mekki, owner of the Palestinian restaurant Bawadi Mediterranean Grill in Washington D.C., was supported by patrons during a fundraiser he hosted after losing his niece in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza.

Background: With the conflict between Israel and Gaza intensifying, Mekki, who opened his restaurant to celebrate his culture, mourns for his birthplace and family in Gaza, including his late niece.
* On a recent Monday, Bawadi saw a rush of diners participating in a fundraiser, with Mekki pledging 50% of the night’s profits to the United Nations’ relief agency.

Personal tragedy: Mekki’s niece was killed, along with her husband and their three daughters, in an Israeli airstrike.
* Mekki mentions the niece had no affiliations with militants and questions the reason behind their killing.
* He has been struggling to get updates from his six sisters and two brothers back in Gaza and expresses the fear of losing his family.

Community response: Patrons showed support to Mekki and his cause by dining at his restaurant, many of them visiting for the first time.
* Diners like Sara Klein and Alia Haleem expressed their empathy towards those in Gaza and their admiration for Mekki’s perseverance.

Business perspective: Mekki noted that business has picked up over the past month, expressing gratitude for the diverse background of his supporters.
* His supporters include people of various backgrounds and religions, from Jews, Christians to Muslims.
View original article on NPR
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