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Notes from the Field: Middle East, Light in Dark Times
Tears come to us easily during the last days here. We find ourselves searching for an answer to the question that we ask over and over again – when will all this violence end? After many rounds of phone calls, cups of tea, and sleepless nights we’ve decided that the only way for those of us here to ease the fear in our hearts is to reach out to others in need during this time of violence and uncertainty.
COHI, an organization based on the tenants of non-violence, is deeply saddened by the killing and terror in both Gaza and Southern Israel. It is our hope that courage will find those in need, and that lighter heads and hearts will prevail soon to bring an end to this latest escalation.
In times such as this, it is essential to replace the talk of fear with words of hope. In that spirit, it is COHI’s honor to share the words of the Israeli and Palestinian midwives working together here on how they are feeling during this dangerous time. We offer you these tales of solitude, hope, and courage and we welcome you to share them with others. These are the people who are working to lead the region to an alternate path of coexistence, and we applaud their valiant efforts in spite of threats, physical obstacles, and violence.
Please join COHI in our efforts to bring light and love to those living amidst the current violence in the Middle East. Click here to donate as funds are needed urgently to begin activities. Additionally, please check our website here for project news and ways you can participate in COHI's efforts.
Sera Bonds, MPH
Circle of Health International
Executive Director
C/O Leilani Johnson,
90 Coventry Wood Road,
Bolton, MA, 01740 USA
sera[at]cohintl.org
www.cohintl.org
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Mindy Levy, Leslie Wolff, and Gomer Ben Moshe
Israeli participants in COHI’s coexistence work in the Middle East
Gomer Ben Moshe, left, with Palestinian midwives at a COHI coexistence meeting |
We, the Israeli midwives participating in the COHI Coexistence project, would like to express our concern and support for the Israeli and Palestinian civilian populations in and around Gaza during this current resurgence of violence. Our hearts go out to the women and children, whom we know tend to suffer particularly during difficult times like these. Women see their duties increase during times of war and are often forced to take on additional responsibilities beyond their routine tasks. They find themselves taking care of the elderly, the children, the sick, and the wounded, in addition to trying to put food on the table and ensure that their houses continues to feel like homes. Pregnancy and childbirth will not wait for a cease fire. Women will go into labor and babies will be born. Midwives will serve these women to the best of their abilities during these grimmest of circumstances. Life will go on, somehow. |
Aisha Saifi
Palestinian participant in COHI’s coexistence work in the Middle East
Israeli and Palestinian midwives embracing before parting ways after a COHI coexistence meeting |
I am deeply concerned about the voice of peace these last days. This is a very sad time for Palestinians; full of darkness and lacking hope. For me it is too painful to watch the numbers of kids who are being killed. These innocents are too often in their homes and are not holding weapons. Women also are being killed in what seems like cold blood. It is essential that people understand that I am not defending Hamas. I am a Palestinian woman who believes in peace and hope. But these acts are out my understanding. My belief is against any war in any part of the world. I am against the killing of all children and women. I am against this argument of who is wrong and who is right. My heart aches with the daily reality of this ugly, shameful, crazy war that is taking away the souls of children without any reason. I pray for a brighter day when women and children are safe, but as long as the violence continues, hope alludes me. |
Leslie Wolff
Israeli participant in COHI’s coexistence work in the Middle East
Aisha Saifi and Leslie Wolff in front of a symbol of nonviolence, Uppsala, Sweden, October 2008 |
It was a small happening – a Palestinian midwife and an Israeli midwife working together – but this small thing was important for us as individuals. It was important to the communities we live in and it was important to our countries. In spite of the differences in our world, a small group of midwives was formed who believe in peaceful co-existence and cooperation. We have made a choice; we were led by a feeling in our hearts and became involved in an organization that helps us to promote what we believe in. Aisha and I came to know each other through a common interest in Kangaroo Care. This led us to working together on a project to raise awareness about the importance of skin-to-skin contact between mothers and newborns. We then had the good fortune to travel to Sweden, where we lived together for 10 days. We were invited to give a presentation together at an international conference where we were warmly and emotionally accepted by many participants
from all over the world.
My son is now stationed close to where Aisha and her family live. This is how complicated real life is here. Aisha and I agree that peace is the only way, and we pray that in our lifetimes we will see it. Until then we will do what we can do, two women, to keep our hearts open and to have courage. |
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