"Twice Dr ElSherif impresses on us that this is a "war on children", pointing out that 90% of patients he treated were between ages 4 and 11 and many died of treatable causes due to lack of supplies.Supplies which International Humanitarian Law dictates Israel has a duty to provide.."
To:
Dr Amgad ElSherif, Contributor
Anne Marie Owens, Editor-in-Chief, Toronto Star
Dear Dr ElSherif and Ms Owens,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME.org), Saskatoon Chapter to thank you for publishing Dr ElSherif's opinion piece on February 18, 2024 in The Toronto Star.
It is long past time that you publish such an article with a graphic description of how Gaza has become what the UN calls "a graveyard for children."
Twice Dr ElSherif impresses on us that this is a "war on children", pointing out that 90% of patients he treated were between ages 4 and 11 and many died of treatable causes due to lack of supplies.Supplies which International Humanitarian Law dictates Israel has a duty to provide..
As too often, the article is presented in the passive voice but I hope readers will be able to deduce exactly which parties are responsible for the long delay in approving Dr ElSherif's visit, the turning of a 5 hour journey into 2 days, the "brutality" "barbarism" ,the "multitude of burnt, blinded, mutilated, contractured, amputated" children, .the rotten food in the trucks,and the snipers who targeted the farmer and the eight year-old. The closest the article comes to attributing blame to Israel is the word "humanmade". The 'humans' here are certainly not 'Hamas.'
Twice too Dr ElSherif mentions the dangers to himself and all medical personnel: insufficient clean water, airstrikes on hospitals and abduction of health workers. All of these constitute Israeli violations of international law..
Mainstream Canadian media have been very successful in dehumanizing Palestinians over the decades, so I appreciate your giving Dr ElSherif the space to tell us about the generosity, hospitality and bravery of Gaza's medical personnel , who are trying to help their people under unspeakable circumstances and without pay. I have connections with the medical community there and know how health workers have the constant worry about the safety of their own children while trying to save the lives of others.
Dr ElSherif has a strong message for the Canadian medical community and all Canadians: very few indeed are advocating for the children of Gaza.
Thank you again for publishing what Canadians need to know about the war on children in Gaza. Please continue to bring Palestinian voices to your readers.
I would appreciate it if you could convey my gratitude and admiration to Dr ElSherif as I do not have his contact information.
Renée Nunan-Rappard