Just another day in Gaza
By Paul Davenport, Development Program Manager
As the situation of intimidation and insecurity in the West Bank and Gaza continues, the quality of
the work of The Diocese of Jerusalem is all the more remarkable and important. My recent visit to
Jerusalem, Nablus, Gaza and Ramallah left me with a confusing mix of contradictory feelings.
On the one hand, I felt the exhilaration of seeing committed Palestinians undertaking high quality projects on behalf of the most vulnerable. On the other, I was deeply saddened to witness the humiliation of these same people as they waited patiently for four hours before being admitted into Gaza at the Eretz checkpoint. Although aware of tensions, I was also shocked to hear later that on the same day, 19 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers lost their lives in the Gaza strip.
That this was just another day in Gaza at least partly explains the exhaustion clearly showing on the faces of the staff at the Al Ahli Arab hospital. It left me wondering how long this committed group of people, led by Suhaila Tarazi, can continue to provide this high level of care in such an environment.
The importance of Al Ahli Hospital to the forcibly impoverished and embattled residents of Gaza is undeniable. Anecdotes from staff and patients demonstrate the caring environment that makes this hospital so special.
Earlier in the week, while visiting the parish church in Nablus in the West Bank, we witnessed soldiers retaliating against stone throwing youth with rounds of semi-automatic gunfire. A short time later a 12 year old boy was admitted to St Luke’s Hospital. His X-rays showed shrapnel dangerously close to his spine. As I saw the distress of his parents and extended family, it brought home to me the ripple effect that such an incident must have within the community.
This is a complex situation characterised by violence, poverty and trauma. The Diocese of Jerusalem is looking for new ways to respond. In turn, AngliCORD is committed to supporting that response both financially, and through solidarity.
In Gaza, the Al Ahli Hospital provides an essential conduit for that support. And in the West bank, through existing and high quality projects - such as the “David Penman” clinic in Zebabdeh- we are talking with the Diocese about how we can help in developing further programs to address issues such as mental health and trauma.
And importantly, we will continue to assure our partners that we do understand the desperate situation that they face, and are also committed to sharing our experiences with others here in Australia deeply concerned for their situation.