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Web Release
04-08-2025
- Health
- Web Release
AUB Inaugurates the Abu Sittah-Gilbert Humanitarian Award
In a ceremony that honored the courage and sacrifice of healthcare professionals working in conflict zones, the American University of Beirut (AUB) inaugurated the Abu Sittah-Gilbert Humanitarian Award. Established in 2024, this award recognizes health workers and first responders who risk their lives and livelihoods to protect and care for people facing war, siege, and occupation. The event, which was hosted by the Palestine Land Studies Center at AUB, opened with a minute of silence in respect for all victims of wars and conflicts, followed by a performance by soprano and educator Ghada Ghanem, who recited short poems by Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha and sang 'If I Must Die,' by the late Refaat Alareer. Ghanem is a faculty member at AUB and collaborates with the Edward Said Conservatory to bring music to children in Gaza. Following the opening tributes, the program continued with a recorded message from Dr. Debarati Guha-Sapir, an award-winning expert on the health impacts of disasters and conflicts. 'Warring parties are required by law to respect and protect medical personnel. Over the last few years, and as we are seeing Gaza, the complete opposite is happening,' said Guha-Sapir. 'We are witnessing the attacks that are usually resulting in the casualties among not only medical workers, but health professionals as well. Ambulance drivers, nurses, paramedics, medical assistants form the foundation of the medical sector, and are the ones who are usually in the frontlines and end up being the victims of such conflicts,' she continued. Guha-Sapir's message was followed by a recorded video that included testimonies from health workers who are on the ground in Gaza, explaining the dire situation there, and a thank you note from Dr. Khamis Elessi. The ceremony continued with remarks by Dr. Iman Nuwayhid, professor of public health and environmental and occupational health at the Faculty of Health Sciences at AUB, who spoke about the award's origins and urgency. 'The idea of this award was proposed by my colleague, Dr. Bassem Saab, and was inspired by the resilience, endurance, and resistance of the people of Gaza and the courage of two healthcare professionals–Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah and Dr. Mads Gilbert–who risked their lives and professional careers to support the people of Palestine and beyond,' he said, highlighting the individuals after whom the award is named. Head of the Division of Plastic Surgery and founder of the Conflict Medicine Program at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah, is a prominent plastic and reconstructive surgeon and academic who has spent decades treating victims of war – particularly children – in some of the world's most dangerous conflict zones, while championing the rights of the injured and displaced. Dr. Mads Gilbert is a Norwegian anesthesiologist and emergency medicine specialist who has long stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and provided critical medical care in Gaza while advocating globally for justice through his medical and political work. Nuwayhid reflected on the violence and horrors that have been inflicted on the people of Gaza for almost two years. He also spoke about the reasons behind the selection committee's decision to honor all healthcare professionals of Gaza as the first recipients of the Abu Sittah-Gilbert Humanitarian Award, which came after the committee realized that the award needed to honor all who have contributed to supporting the people of Gaza, 'from paramedics, nurses, ambulance drivers, first responders, to the patriarch of a family who sought to salvage everyone from his family who he could reach.' Dr. Mohamad Zeyara, who worked and lived in Gaza, received the award on their behalf. Zeyara is a plastic surgeon currently based in Lebanon and receiving further training in reconstructive surgery under the mentorship of Abu Sittah. Dr. Zaina Jallad, director of the Palestine Land Studies Center and assistant professor at the Department of Political Studies and Public Administration at AUB, also spoke during the gathering, noting that the Abu Sittah-Gilbert Humanitarian Award 'is not merely a recognition of courage in the face of danger, it's a recognition of fidelity to life, care, and the irreducible dignity of every human being.' Later in the program, a panel discussion brought together Dr. Gilbert and Dr. Abu Sittah, along with Dr. Ben Thomson, public health professional, nephrologist, and internal medicine physician; and Dr. Noura Erakat, human rights attorney and associate professor at the Department of Africana Studies and the Program in Criminal Justice at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Abu Sittah spoke about his role as a physician. He noted that this role had so far resulted in eight lawsuits that were intended 'not to silence you, but to paralyze you, to make an example of you, and to drain you economically and mentally where you spend your life defending yourself.' Abu Sittah said that dealing with these lawsuits was 'nothing compared to the horrors that happened to others who spoke up.' Gilbert highlighted the disproportionate number of attacks against the healthcare system. 'Healthcare workers in Gaza are 0.9 percent of the population, but they also make up 7 percent of the total casualties. This means that healthcare workers are being killed eight times more than civilians,' he said. He added that 'these attacks are taking place to prevent people from helping in this area because healthcare is a form of resistance in areas where such oppression is taking place.' The event concluded with remarks from Dr. Fadlo Khuri, AUB president. He reflected on the emotional weight of the evening, stating, 'It's very difficult to find the words to follow what we've heard tonight from the testimonies of the voices that were nearly silenced but found a way through.' Drawing from his own background in medicine, he emphasized the deeper purpose of the medical profession, 'As someone who spent most of his life in medicine, I believe that this award encapsulates what medicine is supposed to be about. Medicine is not just a science or a service, but a moral commitment to protect life – especially when it's most threatened.' Khuri honored the courage and sacrifice of those the award seeks to recognize, 'Today we are honoring those who have upheld that commitment and paid the ultimate price, and also those who continue to serve under conditions that defy comprehension.'
Nahar Net
01-08-2025
- Health
- Nahar Net
AUB inaugurates the Abu Sittah-Gilbert Humanitarian Award
by Naharnet Newsdesk 01 August 2025, 13:39 In a ceremony that honored the courage and sacrifice of healthcare professionals working in conflict zones, the American University of Beirut (AUB) inaugurated the Abu Sittah-Gilbert Humanitarian Award. Established in 2024, this award recognizes health workers and first responders who risk their lives and livelihoods to protect and care for people facing war, siege, and occupation. The event, which was hosted by the Palestine Land Studies Center at AUB, opened with a minute of silence in respect for all victims of wars and conflicts, followed by a performance by soprano and educator Ghada Ghanem, who recited short poems by Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha and sang 'If I Must Die,' by the late Refaat Alareer. Ghanem is a faculty member at AUB and collaborates with the Edward Said Conservatory to bring music to children in Gaza. Following the opening tributes, the program continued with a recorded message from Dr. Debarati Guha-Sapir, an award-winning expert on the health impacts of disasters and conflicts. 'Warring parties are required by law to respect and protect medical personnel. Over the last few years, and as we are seeing Gaza, the complete opposite is happening," said Guha-Sapir. 'We are witnessing the attacks that are usually resulting in the casualties among not only medical workers, but health professionals as well. Ambulance drivers, nurses, paramedics, medical assistants form the foundation of the medical sector, and are the ones who are usually in the frontlines and end up being the victims of such conflicts," she continued. Guha-Sapir's message was followed by a recorded video that included testimonies from health workers who are on the ground in Gaza, explaining the dire situation there, and a thank you note from Dr. Khamis Elessi. The ceremony continued with remarks by Dr. Iman Nuwayhid, professor of public health and environmental and occupational health at the Faculty of Health Sciences at AUB, who spoke about the award's origins and urgency. 'The idea of this award was proposed by my colleague, Dr. Bassem Saab, and was inspired by the resilience, endurance, and resistance of the people of Gaza and the courage of two healthcare professionals–Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah and Dr. Mads Gilbert–who risked their lives and professional careers to support the people of Palestine and beyond," he said, highlighting the individuals after whom the award is named. Head of the Division of Plastic Surgery and founder of the Conflict Medicine Program at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah, is a prominent plastic and reconstructive surgeon and academic who has spent decades treating victims of war – particularly children – in some of the world's most dangerous conflict zones, while championing the rights of the injured and displaced. Dr. Mads Gilbert is a Norwegian anesthesiologist and emergency medicine specialist who has long stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and provided critical medical care in Gaza while advocating globally for justice through his medical and political work. Nuwayhid reflected on the violence and horrors that have been inflicted on the people of Gaza for almost two years. He also spoke about the reasons behind the selection committee's decision to honor all healthcare professionals of Gaza as the first recipients of the Abu Sittah-Gilbert Humanitarian Award, which came after the committee realized that the award needed to honor all who have contributed to supporting the people of Gaza, 'from paramedics, nurses, ambulance drivers, first responders, to the patriarch of a family who sought to salvage everyone from his family who he could reach." Dr. Mohamad Zeyara, who worked and lived in Gaza, received the award on their behalf. Zeyara is a plastic surgeon currently based in Lebanon and receiving further training in reconstructive surgery under the mentorship of Abu Sittah. Dr. Zaina Jallad, director of the Palestine Land Studies Center and assistant professor at the Department of Political Studies and Public Administration at AUB, also spoke during the gathering, noting that the Abu Sittah-Gilbert Humanitarian Award 'is not merely a recognition of courage in the face of danger, it's a recognition of fidelity to life, care, and the irreducible dignity of every human being." Later in the program, a panel discussion brought together Dr. Gilbert and Dr. Abu Sittah, along with Dr. Ben Thomson, public health professional, nephrologist, and internal medicine physician; and Dr. Noura Erakat, human rights attorney and associate professor at the Department of Africana Studies and the Program in Criminal Justice at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Abu Sittah spoke about his role as a physician. He noted that this role had so far resulted in eight lawsuits that were intended 'not to silence you, but to paralyze you, to make an example of you, and to drain you economically and mentally where you spend your life defending yourself." Abu Sittah said that dealing with these lawsuits was 'nothing compared to the horrors that happened to others who spoke up." Gilbert highlighted the disproportionate number of attacks against the healthcare system. 'Healthcare workers in Gaza are 0.9 percent of the population, but they also make up 7 percent of the total casualties. This means that healthcare workers are being killed eight times more than civilians," he said. He added that 'these attacks are taking place to prevent people from helping in this area because healthcare is a form of resistance in areas where such oppression is taking place." The event concluded with remarks from Dr. Fadlo Khuri, AUB president. He reflected on the emotional weight of the evening, stating, 'It's very difficult to find the words to follow what we've heard tonight from the testimonies of the voices that were nearly silenced but found a way through." Drawing from his own background in medicine, he emphasized the deeper purpose of the medical profession, 'As someone who spent most of his life in medicine, I believe that this award encapsulates what medicine is supposed to be about. Medicine is not just a science or a service, but a moral commitment to protect life – especially when it's most threatened." Khuri honored the courage and sacrifice of those the award seeks to recognize, 'Today we are honoring those who have upheld that commitment and paid the ultimate price, and also those who continue to serve under conditions that defy comprehension."
The National
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Scottish musician releases song on Israel's 'war crimes' in Gaza
Doug Veitch, a "cult hero" from the 1980s based in the Scottish Borders – known then as Champion Doug Veitch – has recorded a new single titled War Crimes, denouncing Israel's assault on Gaza. It comes as charity Oxfam warned that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was at an "all-time low" as a result of Israel's blockade of aid, which has also seen the World Central Kitchen forced to shut its community soup kitchens. READ MORE: Israel 'sending soldiers to commit war crimes in Gaza', says former army chief 'It came about as a result of my increasing anger and feeling of hopelessness over events in Gaza, media coverage and support of the Israeli regime proffered by politicians at both a local and national level,' Veitch told The National. He said that he was warned creating the single and speaking out on Israel's war on Gaza would be 'career suicide', but he persevered. The single took a year to complete and was recorded in Coventry and Leamington in England. It features several familiar faces, including Martin Bell of the Wonder Stuff, who helped to arrange and produce the single, as well as Horice Panter from The Specials, who played bass. Horace Panter (Image: Doug Veitch) Louis Vause (Image: Doug Veitch) Drums were by Rick Medlock, on the piano was Louis Vause (above), saxophone and clarinet were done by Dan Hillman, trumpet was by Josh Westrip, Martin Bell was on guitar, lap steel and keyboards, and backing vocals were done by Cara McNeil and Heather Ritchie-Parker. The CD also features a second single, If I Must Die, which is a rendition of a poem by the same name by Palestinian writer Refaat Alareer, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in December 2023 along with his brother, his brother's son, his sister and her three children. READ MORE: Humanitarian crisis in Gaza at 'all-time low', warns aid charity Renowned piper Allan MacDonald features on the track, alongside Neil Johnstone on the cello and Monica Madas on backing vocals. Veitch said that he hopes all proceeds from the single can be donated to charity Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), as he called out silence from politicians and the UK media on Israel's assault on Gaza. (Image: Doug Veitch) He condemned Keir Starmer's failure to condemn war crimes and genocide were taking place in Gaza, as he said: 'It's hard to believe that not only is he a Labour Prime Minister but has a background in law.' He added: 'Many of Jewish faith, including Rabbis, have criticised the current actions of Israel. 'The mainstream media – including the BBC – have largely chosen to ignore covering this. 'In recording War Crimes I hope to show that not everyone shares the views of media, government and a large section of the population, many of whom will know nothing of the background to the current situation.' READ MORE: David Lammy 'must explain if he misled us on Israel arms exports', MPs say Veitch added that while the single hadn't received much coverage – which he presumed was because 'the content was deemed unsuitable' – he believed that public opinion was 'slowly changing'. 'History will not look back kindly on the leaders who turned a blind eye on crimes against humanity amounting to genocide,' he said. Veitch added that it was important for cultural figures to speak out against Israel's assault on Gaza, as well as politicians. 'Music should always be capable of making social comment – both a commentary and a form of protest,' he told The National. 'Far more than merely entertainment, music can play an active role in shaping society.' A music video for War Crimes is in the works, which Veitch hopes can be shown at events as well as online. Veitch is also considering creating a 'festival for Gaza' which incorporates all sectors of the arts in Scotland. He encouraged anyone interested in being involved to get in touch. War Crimes is available to purchase here as well as on Amazon.
RTÉ News
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
RTÉ urged to boycott Eurovision Song Contest
RTÉ has been called on to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest over Israel's inclusion in the competition - which has already banned Russia from competing as a result of its invasion of Ukraine. Actor Stephen Rea read the poem If I Must Die by Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer, who was killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza, as he joined scores of protesters gathered at the main entrance to RTÉ's campus in Dublin on Friday evening. The demonstrators, some wearing keffiyehs, waved Palestinian flags and held up banners with slogans including "you can't culturewash genocide" and "you need to boycott Israel now". Organisers staged a mini-concert featuring short speeches as well as musical performances of anti-war and pro-Palestinian songs. Those taking part were calling for Ireland to boycott Eurovision 2025, saying more than 70 former contestants have backed the campaign to see Israel's national broadcaster KAN banned. They note that the organisation behind the event, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), indefinitely suspended Russia and Belarus in 2022. The event featured artists, musicians and LGBT and human rights activists as well as the chairman of an RTÉ sub-branch of the NUJ Trevor Keegan. RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst said it would not pull its entry – Laika Party performed by singer Emmy – out of the competition. However, he said he had written to the EBU, chaired by Irishman and former RTÉ director general Noel Curran, to ask for a "discussion" on Israel's inclusion in the contest in May. Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign chairwoman Zoe Lawlor accused Israel's national broadcaster of attempting to "culturewash" an apartheid ideology at Eurovision. She said: "It's vital to exclude the genocidal apartheid state of Israel from this global cultural platform now. "Ireland showed the way in the 1980s, standing resolutely against the racist and murderous crimes of apartheid South Africa. "RTÉ can help do the same now, by withdrawing its participation and standing on the side of humanity, equality and human rights." Earlier on Friday, several pro-Palestine demonstrators picketed outside a BBC studio in Belfast city centre. The activists banged dustbin lids on walls and shouted chants criticising the corporation's coverage of the conflict in Gaza. They also called for a boycott of Eurovision, to which the BBC is sending Remember Monday with the song What the Hell Just Happened? Eurovision, which is hosted by the EBU, will begin on May 13 in Switzerland with the final on May 17. Israel is set to be represented at the contest by Yuval Raphael, 24, a survivor of the October 7 2023 Hamas attack.
Dublin Live
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
Protesters call on RTE to boycott Eurovision
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Ireland's national broadcaster has been called on to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest over Israel's inclusion in the competition. Irish actor Stephen Rea read the poem If I Must Die by Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer, who was killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza, as he joined scores of protesters gathered at the main entrance to RTE's campus in the Donnybrook area of Dublin on Friday evening. The demonstrators, some wearing keffiyehs, waved Palestinian flags and held up banners with slogans including "you can't culturewash genocide" and "you need to boycott Israel now". Organisers staged a mini-concert featuring short speeches as well as musical performances of anti-war and pro-Palestinian songs. Those taking part were calling for Ireland to boycott Eurovision 2025, saying more than 70 former contestants have backed the campaign to see Israel's national broadcaster KAN banned. They note that the organisation behind the event, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), indefinitely suspended Russia and Belarus in 2022. (Image: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved) The event featured artists, musicians and LGBT and human rights activists as well as the chairman of an RTE sub-branch of the NUJ Trevor Keegan. RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst said it would not pull its entry – Laika Party performed by singer Emmy – out of the competition. However, he said he had written to the EBU, chaired by Irishman and former RTE director general Noel Curran, to ask for a "discussion" on Israel's inclusion in the contest in May. Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign chairwoman Zoe Lawlor accused Israel's national broadcaster of attempting to "culturewash" an apartheid ideology at Eurovision. (Image: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved) She said: "It's vital to exclude the genocidal apartheid state of Israel from this global cultural platform now. "Ireland showed the way in the 1980s, standing resolutely against the racist and murderous crimes of apartheid South Africa. "RTE can help do the same now, by withdrawing its participation and standing on the side of humanity, equality and human rights." Earlier on Friday, several pro-Palestine demonstrators picketed outside a BBC studio in Belfast city centre. The activists banged dustbin lids on walls and shouted chants criticising the corporation's coverage of the conflict in Gaza. They also called for a boycott of Eurovision, to which the BBC is sending Remember Monday with the song What the Hell Just Happened? Eurovision, which is hosted by the EBU, will begin on May 13 in Switzerland with the final on May 17. Israel is set to be represented at the contest by Yuval Raphael, 24, a survivor of the October 7 2023 Hamas attack. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
