R Steve shared some brief highlights of the book 'I Shall Not Hate, a Gaza Doctor's Journey' by Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish.
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, MD. MPH, is a Palestinian physician and infertility expert who was born and raised in the Jabalia refuge camp in the Gaza strip. He received a scholarship to study medicine in Cairo Egypt, then received a diploma from the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of London. He completed a residency in the same discipline at Soroka hospital in Israel, followed by a subspecialty in fetal medicine in Italy and Belgium. He then undertook a masters in public health (health policy and management) at Harvard University. Before his three daughters were killed in January 2009 during the Israel incursion into Gaza, Dr. Izzeldin worked as a senior researcher at the Gertner Institute at the Sheba hospital in Tel Aviv. He now lives with his family in Toronto, where is an associate professor at the Dalla Lama School of Public Health at the University of Toronto.
This book provides the perspective of a man who grew up in a refugee camp in the Gaza strip, overcoming many trials and challenges to be the first Palestinian doctor to work in an Israeli hospital. The humiliation of border crossing, lack of everything and others controlling the country. When retaliation escalates the violence.
Dr. Izzeldin worked to build relationship and peace one person at a time, refusing to believe in stereotypes. Teaching and learning from his children.
We then listened to Dr. Izzeldin share his story and why he does not allow hate to consume him:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR-6x3gXYGs
Dr. Izzeldin has set up a Foundation: www.daughtersforlife.com in honour of his daughters killed. This foundation helps young women from the Middle East to complete their education.