April
27
2012
(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, is once again sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did four times before, Gerri has organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Eleventh in the series.)
The old city of Jerusalem (Photos by Bob Haynes).
Leaving the hills of Nablus this morning, our group exclaimed over the grace and generosity of the people we met in Nablus – a mayor who has his own fortune and works for the community as a volunteer, a scientist who found Steve Gilbert on the internet and set up a wonderful educational and cultural day for our group, Germans who have taken on the work of water treatment; the list is long and rich.
We entered Jerusalem (Al Quds) and enjoyed exploring the Old City while we waited to check into our rooms at the Notre Dame Center. The Old City, even on a quiet Friday, is full of aromas, music, colors, people. It is a fascinating place to wander through – stopping often to talk with shop people in the souk. It is possible to be lost and found again and again as the narrow covered streets wind from the Arab Quarter to the Jewish Quarter to the Armenian Quarter and to the Christian Quarter.
This afternoon, part of our group returned to Bethlehem to thank Zoughbi Zoughbi and Wi’am for their great help in making trip arrangements for us – and to attend an outdoor mass in support
Prayers for peace in Bethlehem.
Leaving Bethlehem this afternoon, we decided we would walk though the checkpoint – a long and confusing pathway to the Jerusalem side. No taxis were available so a kind young Palestinian
The play area at Wi'am - rare for children in Bethlehem.
As we traveled today, we spoke of next steps. We have requests to return for more work in Gaza and here on the West Bank, we’ve heard about possibilities of video conferencing. Medical specialists are needed in many areas. The quality of care is very good – the need for more specialty education is the next step. The possibility of healing gardens for Gaza is real. We will work on returning!
April
26
2012
(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, is once again sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did four times before, Gerri has organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Tenth in the series.)
Steve Gilbert during a lecture (Photos by Bob Haynes).
Early this morning, we drove north through Palestinian villages and past innumerable illegal Israeli settlements – all built on land occupied since 1967. The good rainfall of the spring has turned the hills green – the land is beautiful! How wonderful it would be to have peace here.
In Nablus, students and their instructor, Ansam Sawalha, PhD of the School of Pharmacy at An Naj University, greeted Steve Gilbert. Steve’s historical toxicology papers and poster were displayed on large bulletin boards – a celebration of his work. Steve gave an excellent talk on Toxicology, addressing lead, mercury, pesticides
The old city of Nablus.
We met with the Mayor and Water Minister of Nablus and were treated to a fascinating tour of the old city. We were then were driven to the site of a new water treatment plant for a dedication ceremony. Full water treatment will be available for Nablus by the end of this year. Prior to this time, sewage flowed directly through the earth by gravity, seeping into the earth toward Tulkarem where the remaining sewage drains into the earth. Presently, in some areas around Nablus, septic wells and water wells are in close proximity. The Municipality of Nablus is addressing this problem.
Following the dedication, we joined the celebrants for a walk through the Greek and Roman ruins located near the village of Sebaste. In this area, John the Baptist is said to have been either killed or buried and a tomb area holds a memorial shrine to him.
The lovely hills of Nablus.
A German organization is funding the water treatment plant and hosted a concert in one of the amphitheaters of the ruins and a pizza dinner. We were invited to join the full celebration and knew ourselves to be blessed by this day.
Tomorrow, we drive to Jerusalem – grateful to have visited Nablus!!
April
25
2012
(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, is once again sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did four times before, Gerri has organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Ninth in the series.)
Bypass roads cut up the Palestinian land, with more land lost to Israeli settlements like the one in the distance here (Photos by Bob Haynes).
This morning, we toured the edge of Bethlehem and realized some of the scope of the Wall separating Israel from the West Bank. Zoughbi told us that Israel controls 87% of the Bethlehem area and there are 23 Jewish settlements on the occupied land around Bethlehem. In one area, the Wall is being installed that will take away thousands of acres of fertile agricultural land from Bethlehem. Bypass roads cut through the land, most of them forbidden to Palestinian traffic. The situation is dispiriting. Still, the people we meet here are hopeful for peace to come to this crucible of the world.
We traveled to Hebron and visited the Old City. Near the tomb of Abraham, 400 Jewish settlers
Laura Hart visits with a child at Ibrahim mosque.
This afternoon, we were delighted to visit with Mustafa Barghouti, M.D., head of the Palestinian National Initiative and founder of the Palestinian Medical Relief Committee. We talked about the possibility of combining some of the work we are doing in Gaza with work that might be done in the West Bank. Dr. Barghouti’s continual efforts to reconcile differences between political parties in Palestine provide hope for many Palestinians.
Dr. Mustafa Barghouti and the delegation.
*Editor’s Note: In 2005, Palestinian civil society issued a call for a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights.
April
25
2012
(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, is once again sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did four times before, Gerri has organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Eighth in the series.)
Travelers on the road to Bethlehem.
As we leave Gaza, we reflect on our brief and full time. Each day was packed with opportunities to work and serve and I am thankful to have traveled with a dedicated and expert group. The passage through Erez is always time consuming. The steps are numerous – from the first taxi ride to the Gaza checkpoints, to the taxi ride between Gaza checkpoints, to the long walk through the open-air tunnel to the Israeli side, the multiple inspections of every item we transport, to the reclaiming and repacking of our suitcases, to passport control and finally, to the van waiting to take us to Bethlehem. Today’s passage was remarkably more rapid than some – from first ride to the van took only four hours – a small portion of the time required for Palestinians who might possibly be able to pass this way for medical care.
We were driven through a winding two-lane road up to the bypass road that leads to Bethlehem. We passed large orchards, vineyards and fields of vegetables – all irrigated from the aquifer common to Israel and Palestine; the aquifer pumped by Israel that thus denies water to Gaza.
In Bethlehem, Zoughbi Zougbhi, director of Wi’am, Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center, welcomed us to his office. There, we enjoyed a spectacular lunch/dinner prepared by his sister-in-law and learned about the community, regional and international conflict resolution work of Wi’am.
Water Minister Dr. Simon Al Araj (Photos by Bob Haynes).
This evening, we had a delightful tour of the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem. This maternity and infant intensive care hospital serves the entire West Bank. Their Level III nursery takes neonates as young as 28 weeks gestation and has an excellent record of saving lives of very small infants. The hospital has a 20% Caesarean birth rate – lower than the rate in the U.S. – and 100% of the women who give birth here breastfeed their babies.
We were welcomed to the hospital by the CEO, Hussam Wahad. The head physician Dr. Michelle, who, along with his female surgical colleague, led us through the hospital, is from Belgium and serves in this hospital for one week every eight weeks. His gracious demeanor and delightful sense of humor, dedication and respectfulness for the culture were inspiring.
Physicians at the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem.
Tomorrow, we will travel somewhere in the West Bank – learning about the work of people seeking peace in the region.
In reflection on Gaza, Don Mellman wrote: I am a neurosurgeon from Tampa, Florida, who now also does international domestic healthcare policy and management work focused on human rights and am on my third trip to Gaza.
I saw outpatients in the hospital, in outpatient clinics, at their home, and at a makeshift “clinic” at our hotel, The Marna House. I also lectured to surgeons at the large public hospital al Shifa and to fifth and sixth year medical students at the Islamic University of Gaza. I met with the director of the Gaza office of WHO and with leaders of various heath care related NGOs.
April
23
2012
(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, is once again sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did four times before, Gerri has organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Seventh in the series.)
The women who shared their stories. (Photos by Bob Haynes).
A, whose only daughter died nine months ago at age 13 of lung cancer – believed to be related to toxicity from the Cast Lead attacks. She was the light in her home and her younger brother withdrew completely for months after her death, as he could not be consoled over the loss of his closest sibling.
E, whose husband was killed by a missile during Cast Lead. She is raising their two sons and two daughters. Shortly after her husband died, both of her parents died. She now lives with her husband’s family and describes herself as very patient.
S, whose pregnancy was complicated and a few days after the birth of her daughter, her baby died. Two months later, her mother died. She has three daughters and three sons and grieves the loss of her baby and her mother.
F, whose husband and son were both killed in the same year by Israelis. She says Allah supports us and that she is patient and accepting – raising her five children with very little support.
Boats that cannot go into deep, safe water to fish.
I, whose mother was recently shot by another Palestinian while sitting with her husband outside her home. Political pressure and cultural beliefs were given as reasons for this killing. All the women note that domestic abuse has risen under the pressure of the siege and so few jobs available. One woman described her advanced university degrees and stated there are no jobs available in her area in Gaza.
O, whose father died of throat cancer. Because of the war, he was unable to leave Gaza for the specialized care his disease required. He tried to go out of Gaza into Israel and into Egypt, but by the time he received permission to enter Egypt (many months were consumed), he died.
J, whose brother and four other family members were killed by missiles from Israeli planes during a funeral. Her brother had been asleep and family members awakened him, telling him he had to go to the funeral. He had just arrived at the ceremony when the attack occurred. His wife and five children survived.
This sewage line dumps partially treated and untreated waste into the waters just offshore.
W, whose mother had lung fibrosis. She was pregnant and miscarried twins. Because of the siege, she was unable to obtain the medicine she needed. She was hospitalized and died on the Eid.
There are many stories. This morning, I met with a family whose three children died when a candle they were burning tipped over, setting the house aflame. The family said the children had asked for light at night and because electricity is often not available, a candle was provided for them.
The caseworker for this family also told of two brothers who were attempting to connect to the Internet to see a soccer game this week – they somehow touched a power source that surged and electrocuted both of these young men. In one month, in one area of Gaza, there are three incidents of multiple deaths related to the severe problems with electricity.
Shady, the volunteer who has made our trip work out.
I was received with grace and much affection – I will leave Gaza tomorrow with both joy for having met the people here and great sorrow for the critical situation of life in Gaza.
April
22
2012
April
22
2012
(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, is once again sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did four times before, Gerri has organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Sixth in the series.)
Hamdi Shaqqura of Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (Photos by Bob Haynes).
Because our schedule has been compressed, we are trying to fit service and meetings into a brief period of time. We are dispersed, learning and working. Rich and Ismael, pediatric urologists are spending their days and long evenings operating on children at two of Gaza’s hospitals. Ahmed Abeid, anesthesiologist is working in operating rooms with Rich and Ismael and teaching in the medical school.
This morning, some members of our group heard from a deputy of the Palestine Center for Human Rights – an organization critical to the mental health of the people of Gaza. Without regard for political affiliation, PCHR serves the rule of law – assisting people in Gaza and the West Bank. Their work focuses not only on Israeli abuses, but on Palestinian Authority and Hamas abuses of the human rights of Palestinian people. They work with many other NGOs including GISHA and Physicians for Human Rights Israel. Following Cast Lead when 1400 people were killed (many of them women and children) and more than 5000 homes were destroyed, PCHR filed 495 civilian cases against Israel. Of all of the well-documented human rights abuses by Israel, only one soldier was held accountable for his actions. He was sentenced to seven months in jail for credit card theft.
A beautiful vegetarian meal with the Al Basheer family.
They spoke of a mother whose son works in the tunnels. (The tunnels connect Egypt and Gaza and more than 200 people have died in the tunnels.) She waits for him every day to come home – always worried because the work is so dangerous, always fearing that someone will knock on her door to tell her that her son has been killed. Her husband has no work and there seems to be no alternative to this tunnel work – no other way to earn money for food.
These women reported that a recent study described that 88.4% of the women in Gaza face economic violence – no money for food, clothing, fuel and no control over the finances of their homes. Culturally, husbands control all finances even when the woman works outside the home. When the husband is unable to find work, the situation is even more complex and violence in the home is a threat.
This afternoon, I worked with mental health professionals from the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme as they evaluated a family whose son was recently killed and whose mother is critically ill. The GCMHP sends teams into homes to complete comprehensive evaluations and then serves individuals and families throughout Gaza. In the current situation, with the constant threat of external and internal trauma, this program is desperately needed. Funding is always needed and international donors are critical to the continuation of their work.
Tonight, we were treated to a spectacular vegetarian dinner in the Al Basheer home – family of Abed, who attends Washington State University, and his wife, Kara. Abed’s father will be coming soon to the United States for help with his vision – we look forward to seeing him again!
April
22
2012
(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, is once again sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did four times before, Gerri has organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Fifth in the series.)
Children at the orphanage (Photos by Bob Haynes).
I wish I could send you the sound of the roosters that crow outside our window. One has a strong “roostery” call; the other has an altered and aged sound. As they communicate with one another, the 4am call-to-prayer competes with their conversation – the air is full – another day begins in Gaza.
This morning some members of our group met with an official of the Gaza City Municipality – talking about the possibilities for building a healing garden. He is an architect and teaches in a Gaza university. His enthusiasm about Roxanne’s proposal to include students from his
For various reasons, these children cannot be adopted.
We also met with the family of Dr. Abuleish, author of “I Shall Not Hate.” Two of Dr. Abuleish’s daughters and one niece were killed by Israeli tank fire of their house just before the end of Cast Lead (the Israeli attack on Gaza 2008/2009). Another daughter was nearly killed and we met with her today also. Dr. Abuleish’s wife had recently died of cancer and this grieving family’s response to their sadness is part of his story.
This afternoon, we delivered toys, school supplies, toothpaste, toothbrushes and soccer equipment – first to a local kindergarten and then to the orphanage. These gifts, provided by individual donors from Washington and Oregon – including many children – were enthusiastically received!
This afternoon also, I met with a woman whose elderly mother is dying in India. The woman has six children,
The Abuleish family: The young woman on the right was nearly killed by tank shelling.
Bob Haynes writes: “I was welcomed back to Al Awda Hospital today by the clinic staff and my cardiologist colleague, Majed Sultan, whom I have worked with for several years. In the midst of the mild chaos of the outside garden waiting area and the more crowded clinic hallways, there exists a gentle code of respect for their elders. In America dutiful daughters often bring their elderly parents to doctor visits. In Gaza, pride and respect, culture and the reality of soaring unemployment, mean that sons bring their parents for medical care. The level of medical expertise is high in Gaza but due to the siege and politics many medical supplies are limited. Additionally, continuing medical education is difficult to acquire – leaving and re-entering
A gift to little Mohammed from Ella and Nate.
Steve Gilbert writes: “Underlying the many challenges in Gaza are policy decisions that affect public health. Two of the most glaring which particular effect children are lead and pesticide exposure. I met with Mr. Bahha Alagha at the Environmental Quality Authority and gave a lecture to about 40 people on pesticides. The use and over use of these materials results in ground water contamination, worker exposure, community exposure, and crop contamination with pesticide residue. Worker exposure occurs during mixing and application of organophosphate pesticides. Children are exposed to pesticides tracked into a workers car or home. Chronic infant and childhood exposure to pesticides harms a child’s nervous system and damages their learning and memory abilities. Tracking the amount and types of pesticides used in Gaza is challenging – most of the pesticides move through the Rafah tunnels from Egypt. Programs to provide training in the safe handling of pesticides and integrated pest management principles to
Mike Poage looking out on the prohibited sea.
Leaded gasoline also comes through the tunnels from Egypt into Gaza. This leaded gasoline is cheaper and more available than unleaded gasoline from Israel. Burning of leaded fuel is dangerous. Even low levels of lead exposure can damage the central nervous system. There are well-documented studies regarding the vulnerability of infants and children to even the smallest amount of lead exposure. The United States stopped adding lead to gasoline in the 1980s and childhood blood lead levels have dropped dramatically. We know what the problem is and how to fix it. Protection of children is essential – the use of leaded gasoline and pesticide exposure must be stopped. Children have a right to live in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. “
April
21
2012
(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, is once again sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did four times before, Gerri has organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Fourth in the series.)
On the bus learning about Gaza (Photos by Bob Haynes).
Restoring tiles at the Christian church
On this trip, we were treated to a visit to an archeological dig site – discovered during a road excavation about 17 years ago, in what was a Roman, then Christian, then Muslim area. UNESCO is in charge of the work done here and lovely mosaic tile floors are being carefully restored. When UNESCO recognized Palestine as a state last September and the United States cut funding to UNESCO, the budget for this restoration was decreased, but funding from other countries continued and the work here goes on.
The coastline of Gaza
Working in the fields of Gaza.
In some areas, garbage has been cleaned from the streets – still, the presence of trash along most roads seems to reflect the desperate condition of life here. We saw many closed gas stations and were told again that the amount of fuel for cars, electricity, cooking, and industry has been recently reduced. Because taxes from Gaza have been withheld by the government of Gaza from payment to the Palestinian government in Ramallah and subsequently from
Ramzy Suleiman, musical magician
At the end of our tour, we were treated to magnificent music – piano and song by Ramzy Suleiman, Palestinian American from Washington, D.C. who now lives in Gaza and teaches music at the Edward Said School of Music. The beauty of his music reflected the beauty of the natural land and the wonderful people of Gaza – reminding us that hope for a more just and peaceful future remains.
April
20
2012
A familiar sight: Concertina wire and glass
A garden grows in Gaza (All photos by Bob Haynes).
Green space is a premium here and the possibility of constructing a place for quiet reflection and healing seems to appeal to everyone we meet. Today, the head of a construction company related his ability and great willingness to help a garden come to reality. We visited the fantastic garden of a local family and witnessed the wide variety of plants that can thrive in this climate.
Before we leave Gaza, Roxanne will have the opportunity to meet with a planning member of the municipality and be able to visit some of the potential sites that Gazans have recommended for a garden.
Roxanne Hamilton
All of the children who live in the orphanages attend local schools and receive intensive care from the orphanage staff: tutoring, birthday parties, holiday celebrations and psychological counseling. Recently, some recreational activities have been curtailed due to budget shortfalls. In the dire economy of Gaza, all people suffer.
Bob Haynes and Don Mellman consulted on patients in their specialty areas, cardiology and neurosurgery. Don also gave a lecture focusing on courage to fourth year medical students and Laura Hart spoke about urology in a local hospital.
Amani Malwan
Having the opportunity to hear about the response of these young women to life under external occupation is inspiring – each woman is helping Gaza to survive.