Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is committed to Israel’s destruction, but when his granddaughter, one-year old Amal, needed emergency medical treatment recently, her family brought her to the Jewish state.
Haniyeh, who describes Israel as a “cancerous tumor that must be removed and uprooted”, has overseen the launching of thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel, killing scores of civilians. In fact, at the very moment his own baby granddaughter was lying in a hospital near Tel Aviv, Haniyeh publicly boasted that Hamas’ newest long-range missiles can hit that and other Israeli cities.
In fact, the medical center chosen by the Haniyehs - Schneider Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Israel – has been forced by Hamas’ relentless bombing to reinforce its windows and build a rocket shelter in its basement.
The hospital calls itself a “bridge of peace,” and despite the danger posed by Hamas bombs, it attempts to live up to this self-designation by opening its doors to children from Jordan, Africa, Europe, and elsewhere around the world. Each year, hundreds of children from Gaza seek medical care at Schneider Children’s.
Amal Haniyeh isn’t the only member of the Haniyeh family to receive treatment in Israel. In 2012, when Ismail Haniyah’s brother in law developed heart problems, his family brought him to Israel, too, where he was hospitalized for a week and received medical care in Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva
Although officially at war with Israel, Syrian officials have been secretly bringing victims of the fighting there into Israel for medical care – paid for by the Jewish state. “For us they are patients who need immediate help or they will die. And it makes no difference where they come from, or whether they’re combatants or civilians” explains one administrator whose hospital in the Israeli city of Safed has treated scores of Syrians.
Israeli aid workers and medics also provide medical care directly in Syria, disguising their identities since they’re coming from the Jewish state.
Save a Child’s Heart, based at Wolfson Medical Center near Tel Aviv, is the largest charity of its kind in the world, bringing children from dozens of countries to Israel for life-saving cardiac treatments. And while Hamas officially opposes the Jewish state’s very existence, it relies on Save a Heart to pay for transporting thousands of children from Gaza to Israel, and provide their medical treatment, each year.
It’s not only in the fields of medical care that Hamas relies on Israel.
Israel’s army is also instrumental in a Dutch-initiated plan to help boost Gaza’s agricultural exports. Notwithstanding Hamas’ continued bombing from the Gaza Strip, Israeli soldiers continue to run seminars on agricultural practices there. “We want to help the Palestinian farmers to grow their crops correctly, and use pesticides correctly, so that next year the produce will be of a higher quality, and quantity,” explained one Israeli army official: his goal “is to create a situation in which the exports to Europe will grow, and will create more profit and Palestinian economic growth in Gaza.”
The Torah tells us “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore choose life” (Deut. 30:19).
Surrounded by enemies who call for their destruction, countless Israelis have nevertheless heeded this injunction and chosen life. Faced with hatred, time and again, they’ve decided to answer that hatred with myriad organizations to help, to connect with, and elevate others.
(24) Rachel, November 25, 2013 2:26 PM
Cure an evil, to become an angel
could become an angel on this planet or in the sky
(23) Anonymous, November 24, 2013 5:05 AM
Mercy is our Downfall
King Saul was told to destroy Amalek but at the end of the day he had too much mercy and couldn't do it. The result of Saul's kindness has been haunting the Jewish people right into the present.
(22) Ron, November 23, 2013 3:24 PM
Ashamed
I was filled with pride after reading this wonderful article. However, after reading some of the comments by some holier-than-thou religious zealots, I'm totally disgusted and ashamed of you, my Jewish brothers. I think the The Oath of Maimonides for Physicians clarifies this issue by stating "….May I never see the patient as nothing but a fellow creature in pain." I hope and pray that we continue to do what we Jews have always done best. LIve a life of virtue and practice Tzedakah without regard to any differances we might have with whomever we share our blessings.
dennis, November 24, 2013 2:51 AM
be ashamed of yourself
You should never be ashamed of Jews who don't want to help those who are sworn to kill our children. Save your shame for yourself, you're the holier-than-thou one, thinking you are above other Jews. "Differences we might have?" Umm, yeah the difference is they want to kill our children. That's their clearly stated goal. Why don't you explain to the Jewish parents of kids who have been killed by Hamas how your version of tzedakah is so righteous? You're the disgusting one. You should follow your own self-righteous beliefs and donate your money to hamas. After all, according to you, you should share your blessings with them without regard to your differences. If you don't, you are a hypocrite.
(21) Ronaldo, November 23, 2013 2:17 PM
Proverbs 25:21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,and the Lord will reward you.
(20) sol, November 22, 2013 2:17 PM
lesson is lost
it's worth noting that Israel has been practicing this policy for the past 60 years. It has also shared its manpower and expertise generously with 3rd world countries in time of need
(e.g. Haiti). Very few hearts and minds have been positively influenced. "none so blind as those who will not see."
(19) Yehudah Zalman, November 22, 2013 3:36 AM
Somewhere in Mishna: You are required to rise early, if you know your enemy is coming to kill you[paraphrased].How and why would Israel help/cure its ARCH-ENEMY?
I would like a return comment from a VAD HA-RABBANIM.....
Deborah Bach, November 24, 2013 7:20 AM
Do you really think that Rabanim can and should decide?
Sorry, I'm not part of any vaad Rabanim. I am the mother-in-law of a wonderful Rav who likes to joke: Ani lo rav im af echad. He's also an army medic in a fighting unit in Tzahal. All my sons & sons-in-law are in fighting units in Tzahal.and I'm sorry but it's not Rabbanim who should be making these decisions, but those with the strategic knowledge and I absolutely believe that they get input from Rabanim. I appreciate your caring, assuming that's what I hear through your frustration with the chesed shel emet that Israel does. You have to realize that we are few and that the most important thing we may have to offer the world is our amazing humanity which I believe does come from Torah values. The strategy that was appropriate for our forefather Jacob as an individual will not necessarily be appropriate for a small nation that has returned to its homeland surrounded by enemies after two thousand years. As far as Arch-enemy wouldn't that mostly apply to individuals like Achmadinajad and Haniyeh the grandfather and not to most individual Arabs even though they were fed a diet of poison and hate for decades? What would you do if you had the power (and I thank God that you don't and maybe you thank God for that too)? If I had a magic wand, I would wave it and all the terrorists would magically understand that killing brings pain and fear and guilt and more killing and doesn't solve anything in the long run. Once that would happen Haniyeh would visit his grandchild at Shneider and hold a news conference in Arabic announcing that there should be an end to violence and a new renaissance in the Arab world who once brought the world Arabic numerals and certainly as intelligent human beings could once again invest their energies into positive persuits which could enhance our planet.
(18) samuel Behnam, November 22, 2013 12:38 AM
what will happen if a Jew or an Israeli goes to Hamas Hospital?????
what will happen if a Jew or an Israeli goes to Hamas Hospital?????
(17) ruth housman, November 22, 2013 12:30 AM
proud of the Israeli doctors
I feel it is a beautiful thing to provide medical care even to those who fight Israelis ro the point of wishing them all to leave ir worse. Heart. Generosity of spirit. This positivity can only spread goodwill and saving lives ennobles. Yes it is hard to contemplate that those who hate actually come for treatment. It feels like a vast, crazy paradox . But if you have saved one life.... we must believe this way or the world is lost.
(16) Alexander Hersh, November 21, 2013 9:51 PM
Israel helping and healing its implacable enemies
This is an amazing article about how Israel is helping and healing its implacable enemies in critical times of need. What dedicated Israeli Jewish doctors and nurses are doing for the benefit, healing and recovery of their Muslim Arab patients from Jordan, Syria and Gaza is highly commendable and praiseworthy. However, I have reservations as to whether that display of Israeli concern, kindness and compassion will ever be reciprocated. Israel's remarkable humanitarian acts of concern, kindness and compassion for others, other than for its own citizens, needs to be broadcast, published and made known to all the nations of the world. Sadly, these remarkable displays of Israeli Jewish goodwill and humanitarian acts of concern, kindness and compassion will probably not be broadcast, published and made known to the rest of the world simply because it will portray Israel in a favourable light as angelic rather than in an unfavourable light as demonic!
(15) Jose, November 21, 2013 7:52 PM
Strategic
I think this in a pragmatic way to handle the matter. Obviously, an "impartial" institution would treat these people, and find a way to portrait Israel as the demonic country that "denied" help to sick children. So it is better to treat them anyway. Let them die later, as a result of their own misery.
(14) Anonymous, November 21, 2013 7:06 PM
let the world know
Why can't this be publicized for the word to see? It should be in every newspaper and on news programs all over. Can't that be done?
Anonymous, November 22, 2013 9:34 PM
The world
The world does not want to know! Why tell them that there is good in Israel. It's not good press!!!
Lillian Craig, November 24, 2013 1:25 PM
Many Know
I am in the Panhandle of Texas, Amarillo, and just want to reassure you that "Many Know." We watch and wait......Lill Craig
(13) Anonymous, November 21, 2013 6:08 PM
Comments almost as interesting as the article
At this writing, out of eleven comments, including one comment on a comment, six criticize the hospital's practice and five praise it. What does this say about readers of this Web site?
Alan S., November 21, 2013 10:29 PM
It says nothing 'special' about the commenters. In fact, the even handedess of the comments, as you point,out, speaks well about the diversity of the readers.
(12) Sabus, November 21, 2013 5:41 PM
What will one say when international medias never carry or relay news like this instead of there demonising and dirting Israel image news, full of propaganders that draws hatred to Jews and there likes. Let us join hands to more publicise news like this for the world to see that Israel choose Life not death.
Anonymous, November 22, 2013 6:10 AM
That same little girl whose life was saved by Israel will probably never be told about that but she will be taught in Hamas' schools to hate Israel and to kill Israelis. The chutzpah of these Arabs is amazing, but I can't see Israel turning away people with medical needs.
Anonymous, November 22, 2013 6:13 AM
Between the press and the United Nations, we should know by now Israel will rarely get its positive messages out to the world. We have to keep trying though. How many know of Israel's medical people in the Philippines, or in Haiti several years ago? Only the Jews know about it and the people they have helped directly.
(11) Fred, November 21, 2013 5:00 PM
Misplaced chessed
It is sad that we are misinterpreting what " light into the nations" means, it means living our live with highest standard of ethic and chessed, according to the teaching of Tora. Saving terrorist that behave in the most inhuman way is not chessed, it is indeed cruelty. And I beleive that the israeli should be aware that the world will not love them more if they show misplaced benevolence. At the contrary, it reflects a serious complex of culpability as if Israel had to apologize from "stealing the land of the arabes".
Do not be fooled by these stupid acts, they are totally inappropriate morally, ethically and halachically as they maintain alive murderers.
(10) Aharon, November 21, 2013 3:48 PM
Cruel to be Kind
The second after our enemies embrace peace, we should be glad to help. Before then, it is misplaced altruism that requires Jews to risk their lives while feeling mistakenly virtuous.
(9) Geraldine, November 21, 2013 3:37 PM
preaching to the converted?
WHY ARE ARTICLES LIKE THIS SO RARELY REPORTED IN THE GENERAL MEDIA? Where is Israel's hasbara directed? I know there are (too) many Jews who need to be educated about these things as well, but why can't stories like this be used to counter the more widely publicized lies?!?
(8) Bonnie, November 21, 2013 3:00 PM
On one hand, we look like pushovers...
But we are setting a powerful example for the world to see. I guess this is what the Torah means to be a light unto the nations!
(7) Mistabra, November 21, 2013 2:40 PM
Helping Murderers
Israel is crazy... Guys, come on, theres no peace with murderers. They OUR children and we save theirs?! Thats not a fair trade. HASHEM, bring a little bit of understanding on those who think we can be friends with palestinians... Face it guys, THEY HATE US AND THIS WILL NOT CHANGE! I say enter Gaza and execute every single hamas supporter. After that, we take Gaza back! Hannukah Sameach, may the next year we see Gaza under our control, we are waiting for our "Yehuda HaMacabi" to save us once more from the hands of our enemies. May Maschiach come soon, and the haters of Israel be exterminated from the face of Earth
(6) Leaf, November 21, 2013 12:50 PM
This treatment is no better than what the Nazi's did . If they found a Jew in the camps who had a specific trade they kept them alive as long as they were serving THEIR needs . These people are PIGS of the lowest form of life on our planet today ! There will never be peace ,never be anything that will come from these people but hate and more hate . They prove themselves daily ..and so does Israel with the compassion they show EVEN to their enemies . Close the doors Israel and leave them to their own DEVISES and see how long they survive . How many JEWISH CHILDREN DO THEY SAVE ?
Alan S., November 21, 2013 10:31 PM
I wish I didn't have to agree with this comment, but I agree wholeheartedly.
(5) Michael, November 21, 2013 7:51 AM
Typical of Jews.
The Jews of the world never no the word "NO" when it comes to helping anyone ! I have seen the good Jews of Chicago give their love and money to so-so many I cannot count the times in my lifetime.
Then the same people they helped, forget the good deed and disrespect and even hurt these kind Jews.
May G-d bless all the Jews, of the blessed memory that passed and knew and followed the words of the Almighty.
May our heavenly Father keep Israel safe and blessed.
We should all pray for the most wonderful people of AISH who give us so much.
(4) dennis, November 20, 2013 10:03 PM
I agree
How many Jews will be severely injured or killed by the arabs these doctors save? If the Torah tells us to choose life, then why would we do our best to help those who kill our children? To me, that's not choosing life, that's evil.
Wouldn't it be terrible if this hamas child grows up to kill the child of the doctor who saved it? That is, after all, their clearly stated goal.
(3) rayla salomon, November 20, 2013 7:37 PM
Wow! The jewish people are amazing
(2) David, November 20, 2013 7:19 PM
lesson
Again Israel teaches the world. I just do not get the Hamas leaders disconnect. Does this leader think that the hospital will be there if Israel is not?
(1) Jon, November 20, 2013 3:21 PM
Seriously?
Israel should arrest him when he comes to visit his granddaughter and summarily execute him. I wouldn't lose any sleep if they did the same to his entire family.
dennis, November 20, 2013 10:15 PM
right
This writer and the doctors make the mistake of believing that if we only were nicer to the arabs, they would love us. That's a form of self-hatred, an emotional illness. It's pure egotism. To help those who launch rockets at our children is truly evil.
If they use the excuse that doctors are neutral, then they can go practice in Switzerland, and then go to that final resting place reserved for neutral folks.