THERE is little to show for the boundless, well-intentioned, ongoing proposed political remedies to the seemingly intractable divide between Palestinians and Israelis. It is time to start a new conversation by changing the political discourse. One way is by using a common language, a metaphorical language understood by both sides. Another way is by engaging civil society to directly influence the political climate. Two physicians, one Palestinian and one Israeli, are trying to do just that.
In March, Israeli psychiatrist and trauma specialist Zeev Wiener and Palestinian pediatrician Jumana Hassan Odeh-Issawi completed a week-long, whirlwind tour of five US cities, designed to inform US policy makers and opinion leaders, prominent members of the Jewish American and Arab American communities, and medical professionals about the health consequences of the ongoing conflict. One of the tour objectives of the two doctors was to convey the importance of engaging the US medical community in improving the health status of both Israelis and Palestinians.
Although the impact of the conflict on the physical and mental health of both populations is well documented, Drs Odeh-Issawi and Wiener spoke passionately and eloquently in Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, New York City, and Washington, DC, about their work. Both physicians are practicing clinicians and leaders in their respective fields who have committed their skills to healing their own people, and have worked courageously across the divide.
Dr Jumana Hassan Odeh-Issawi is Director of the Happy Child Center, which operates a program for children with disabilities in the West Bank and Gaza. She documents the impact of the conflict on the mental health of Palestinians, especially children. She has also provided emergency medical treatment for Israelis in the West Bank. Dr Wiener directs the community programs at the Hosen Center for Trauma and Disaster in Tel Aviv. He also consults with personnel from the city's emergency treatment system of mental trauma (which operates at the scene of violent incidents, including suicide bombings), summarizes the physical losses suffered by Israelis as a result of suicide bombings, and details the increased level of psychic trauma currently present in Israeli society. Dr Wiener has also volunteered his skills to treat Palestinian trauma victims.
What brought them together was the common professional bond of physicians committed to the Hippocratic oath and the desire to improve the health of both populations. They realized that even at this time of political stagnation, improving the health of both Israelis and Palestinians is a key step in eventual reconciliation.
Throughout the week-long tour, their presentations clearly showed concrete evidence of groups working across the divide and the important role civil society can play in an otherwise politically stagnant process. Enhanced visibility and support for these and like-minded initiatives can have the added benefit of raising the voice of civil society for both Israelis and Palestinians and thus affect the current political stalemate.
Dr Odeh-Issawi, who was interviewed by NPR's nationally syndicated Connection, spoke about her patients and students being "fed up" with politicians and the institutions they run. She said that Palestinians "don't want to depend on politicians anymore. People in general are more optimistic than politicians." Invoking the power of civil society to bridge the divide, Dr Wiener said, "Step by step we'll build a civil society that through voice will have an impact on politicians."
Dr Wiener spoke in detail about the impact of terrorism on Israeli society in general. A substantial percentage of Israeli citizens suffer from anxiety and depression even if they did not directly experience a terrorist act. For instance an increase in domestic violence can be linked to an increase in terrorism. Similarly, he spoke about a loss of trust in government institutions and a lack of respect for law enforcement, which also can be traced to higher levels of terrorism. In fact, he reported that Israeli polling results indicate that individuals are identifying less and less with their state.
On a number of occasions in all five cities both doctors were asked why they persist in seeking resolution to an unending conflict. After all, many well-intentioned politicians and religious leaders have proposed remedies to the Palestinian-Israeli divide, but with little consequence. As two physicians working across the divide, they have seen firsthand how an enhanced civil society can overcome obstacles politicians have failed to resolve. They are confident that the voice of civil society is the way forward in an interminable political stalemate. Now US politicians, policy makers, health professionals, and the public at large who have heard the compelling firsthand accounts of these two courageous people cannot help but be encouraged by their commitment toward bridging the gap.