Izzeldin Abuelaish was born in 1966 in the refugee camp of Jabalia, in the Gaza Strip. He is a Palestinian-Gazan physician who has been an important figure in bridging Israeli-Palestinian relations for years. He has worked in Israeli hospitals, treating both Israeli and Palestinian patients and fully believing that health is an engine in the peace journey.
On January 16th, 2009 Israeli tank shells shattered his house in Jabalia camp, killing three of his daughters, as well as his niece. Another daughter was severely wounded. The drama that followed was broadcast live on Israeli television, for the first time bringing the lethal toll that the battle was taking on Gaza’s civilian population into the living rooms of Israelis and others around the world. This horrific tragedy did not harden Dr. Abuelaish’s heart; neither did it weaken his resolve to act for humanity.
Dr. Abuelaish is currently Associate Professor at the Dala Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. In October 2009, Dr. Abuelaish received the Common Ground Award for his contribution towards respect and reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis.
Dr. Abuelaish is also author of I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor's Journey Random House Canada 2010.
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