Issue18

The Galilee Society Newsletter

In This Issue: Issue 18, January 2006
• Study Day on Cellular Antennas and Electro-
• Tamra Diabetes Patient on Raising Awareness about
Magnetic Radiation Organized by Environmental
the Disease: Information Sharing is Crucial
Justice Center

• Galilee Society Establishes Environmental Justice • Rikaz Community Survey to Analyze all Arab
Charter Localities in Israel

• Galilee Society Participates in Church of Scotland
• Other News in Brief and How to Donate
HIV/AIDS Conference in Kenya

Study Day on Cellular Antennas and Electro-Magnetic Radiation Organized by
Environmental Justice Center
The rapid increase in cellular phones and cellular central broadcast antennas in Israel
has raised the issue of the risks involved with exposure to electro-magnetic radiation
(EMR). Especially among the Palestinian minority, public awareness is increasing on this
issue as the debate intensifies over the central cellular broadcast stations placed inside
and in close proximity to Arab cities and villages in Israel. Tension has risen in these
locations, leading to disputes between neighbors and the burning down and vandalizing
of central cellular broadcast stations after incidences of cancer, supposed to be linked to
EMR.

In response to this growing debate, the Galilee Society’s Environmental Justice Center
decided to raise public awareness on the subject of electro-magnetic radiation from
central cellular broadcasts through a study day on "Cellular Antennas: Health and
Environment Effects, Planning, and Environmental Justice". The study day took place in
the Galilee Society main building in Shefa-Amr on 6 December 2005. The study day was
attended by some 45 people, including representatives from different environmental
organizations and local authorities, as well as lawyers, environmental engineers and
campaigners.

Presentations were made by leading experts in the area of EMR. They included both
scientific and medical lectures on the health and environmental consequences of
proximity to cellular antennas and considered the planning policies relating to their
location. Speakers included Dr. Miki Hran, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Environment
and the chairwoman of the Ministerial Committee set to debate the issue of EMR and
central cellular broadcast stations, Professor Manford Green, the general director of the
Israeli National Centre for Disease Control, and Dr. Hanna Sweid the General Director of
the Arab Centre for Alternative Planning.

In her lecture, Dr. Hran focused on the recommendation of the Ministerial Committee
concerning central cellular broadcast stations. She stressed the fact that until today no

reliable scientific research has affirmed or denied a direct relation between EMR and
cancerous diseases. In view of this situation of uncertainty therefore, the committee
suggests applying the precautionary principle regarding the spread of central cellular
broadcast stations. This is why the committee promotes the use of small antennas, which
create less radiation than larger antennas, until there is more concrete information about
the subject.

The same view was also expressed by Professor Green, whose lecture concentrated on
the scientific link between exposure to EMR and malignant diseases. Although Professor
Green acknowledged that EMR is harmful to the body, he also pointed out that there is
no proof that it is, or is not, cancerous. Professor Green nevertheless emphasized the
fact that this lack of scientific evidence does not mean that there is no link between
cancerous diseases and EMR, but only that there is a gap in the scientific research
available. The link between EMR and cancer thus remains clouded in mystery and more
research and studies should be encouraged on the subject.

Another issue that was raised concerned Master Plan 36, decided upon in the
Department of Public Planning in the Ministry of Interior. This plan makes it relatively
easy for cellular companies to erect their antennas in the vicinity of Arab villages and
towns. Dr. Hanna Sweid, the General Director of the Arab Centre for Alternative
Planning, claimed that the plan allows cellular companies to take advantage of the lack
of knowledge, means and resources often present in Arab locations. This constitutes a
case of environmental injustice and should be prevented from happening.

During the final session of the study day, a panel discussion was held between
representatives from Shatil (the New Israel Fund' Empowerment and Training Center for
s
Social Change Organizations in Israel), an Israeli cellular company, and Umm al-Fahm
local authority. The discussion considered the ways in which legitimate campaigns
against the building of cellular antennas might be managed most efficiently.

Picture shows Dr. Miki Hran, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Environment, who was
one of the main speakers at the study day on "Cellular Antennas: Health and
Environment Effects, Planning, and Environmental Justice".

Galilee Society Establishes Environmental Justice Charter
The Galilee Society’s Environmental Justice Center (EJC) is aiming to expand its work in
the area of environmental litigation in the coming year, to continue raising awareness
among Arab citizens in Israel of their rights to a clean environment, and to provide them
with the opportunity to file a complaint and challenge the authorities when needed. As
part of the Galilee Society’s planning process for 2006, the Environmental Justice Center
has therefore drawn up a set of guiding principles for its work, as follows.

- The Palestinian Arab minority in Israel has an equal right:

1. To clean, unpolluted air.
2. To access to clean water.
3. To land free of pollution.
4. To live in a safe and sound environment.
5. To free access to impartial information regarding their environment.
6. To oppose pollution that damages their health and environment.

7. To an equal share of open spaces and natural resources.
8. To apply measures to eliminate institutionalized environmental injustice.

- The Palestinian Arab minority in Israel also has the right to struggle against the growing
sense of alienation from its land and heritage, which results from the discriminatory and
unjust policies of the Israeli state, as well as from the neglect of this heritage within the
community itself.

These principles are based on the reality facing the Palestinian minority in Israel, of
continuing discrimination and neglect, in the social, economic and cultural spheres.
Environmental Justice is by now a widely applied term, although one that is used in a
variety of different contexts. The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines
Environmental Justice as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people
regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development,
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies”. (1)

This definition is also endorsed by the Committee of Environmental Justice in Israel,
which “takes a broad environmental-social view and seeks solutions that entail a more
equal division of resources and elimination of environmental dangers”. (2) As such it
works to improve the conditions of all disadvantaged groups in Israel; both Jews and
Arabs, including the Bedouins of the Naqab. Through the work of the EJC however, the
Galilee Society aims to apply the concept of Environmental Justice in the specific
framework of the Arab minority in Israel.

“In the Israeli Government”, Mr. Shadi Azzam, the Galilee Society’s environmental
lawyer, says, “there exists a myth that Arabs in Israel cannot stand up for their rights and
this is why environmentally hazardous activity is consistently being located in the vicinity
of Arab towns and villages. Our aim is to prove this myth wrong and show that we can
protect our own rights.”

Major emphasis is therefore put on Principle 8 of the Environmental Justice Charter,
asserting Arab citizens’ right to oppose all forms of institutionalized environmental
injustice. To facilitate this, the Environmental Justice Center aims to set up a more
comprehensive system for receiving complaints from citizens and to cooperate more
closely with other environmental organizations and agencies. In addition the Center
strives to expand the range of environmental concerns to be taken up in its litigation
work.

However, besides being based on systematic discrimination and neglect, the
environmental problem the Arab community in Israel faces is also internal, to the extent
that it consists of a more general loss of interest in a heritage closely connected to land
and nature. As Mr. Azzam puts it, “there is a lot of pressure on the Arab community in
Israel and people tend to lose interest in tradition. Nevertheless, this is our land and we
need to take care of it.” The Galilee Society will therefore continue its educational and
awareness raising campaigns and proceed with its efforts to inform the Arab population
of the environmental rights they are entitled to as citizens of Israel.

(1) http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/
(2) http://www.sviva.net/pages/html/modules.php?name=News&file=articleen&sid=178

Picture shows Bedouin children in Kseife in the Naqab (Negev) playing near a hazardous
pool of open sewage.

Galilee Society Participates in Church of Scotland HIV/AIDS Conference in Kenya
Since 2002, the Church of Scotland (1) has been working to raise funds and support
NGOs around the world in their work to combat what can now be called a true global
HIV/AIDS epidemic (2). As part of their objective to provide care for people affected by
HIV/AIDS, and to raise awareness to prevent the disease from spreading further, the
Church of Scotland, on 16 to 20 January 2006, organized a Capacity Building Partners’
Consultation at Limuru in Kenya.

The conference was attended by some 40 people from 15 different countries, and as one
of the organizations supported by the Church of Scotland, the Galilee Society had the
opportunity to send its representative, Mr. Mohammad Khatib, General Program Director,
to participate.

The first day of activities included presentations by representatives of the different
organizations taking part in the conference, who presented their work and the different
challenges they face. For example, since many of the organizations supported by the
Church of Scotland are faith-based, one of the main themes was the issue of how to
approach a sensitive issue such as HIV/AIDS from the perspective of different religions.
During this session Mr. Khatib also presented the work of the Galilee Society, explaining
how the organization is successfully implementing its HIV/AIDS Awareness project in a
traditional Arab society. Other themes took into account the specific difficulties arising
when working on HIV/AIDS issues with women, youth, or with people infected with the
disease. The presentations were followed by an open discussion and a group work
session.

On the second day of the conference the participants had the opportunity to visit one of
the projects carried out in the host country, Kenya. Mr. Khatib of the Galilee Society was
part of a group visiting a project run in a slum in southern Nairobi, where the population
lived in extremely poor and difficult conditions. The project leaders presented their
activities to the visitors and, according to Mr. Khatib, “many of the activities and the
problems they contend with are similar to ours. We all deal with the stigma, denial and
difficulty of treatment related to the disease”.

At the same time however, he says, “I represent a place where the prevalence of
HIV/AIDS is relatively low. In Kenya on the other hand, the occurrence of the disease is
very high and in this sense our situations are not at all comparable”. This is evident in the
World Health Organization’s statistics, which show that Africa continues to be the
hardest-hit region in this HIV/AIDS epidemic; 64% of new infections occur on this
continent. (3) Because of this, a great deal of emphasis in this region is put on treatment
of the disease, whereas in the case of the Arab community in Israel, the main focus is
prevention.

After this visit the conference proceeded with various presentations about the different
problems related to HIV/AIDS. They considered the possibilities for challenging the
various obstacles to fighting the disease as well as the systematic barriers upholding
these. Mr. Khatib mentions an interesting presentation given by the Coordinator of the
East African branch of ANERELA+, an African association of HIV positive religious
leaders. The Coordinator talked about the stigma, shame and denial experienced by
people living with HIV/AIDS, but nevertheless stressed the importance of fighting these
and making it clear that it is possible to live with HIV and to manage a normal life.

In the Arab community in Israel, it is extremely rare for people with HIV/AIDS to speak
out about their disease, because of the stigma that goes along with it. The ANERELA+
representative nevertheless emphasized the importance of encouraging carriers to
become more active and tell their stories. In Mr. Khatib’s words, “it is not necessary for
every HIV positive person to share their story, but it is important that people are exposed
to a many different stories and understand that the disease can be experienced in a
variety of ways”.

At the conclusion of the conference, the participants drew up a final statement, affirming
their solidarity with people living with HIV/AIDS and reaffirming their support for those
directly affected by the disease. Through this declaration they want to call to the attention
of the general public and governments, issues such as the continuing high level of
stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS, the inaccessibility
of quality HIV preventative strategies, as well as the inaccessibility of quality care and
treatment.

(1) http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/appeals/aidsappeal.htm
(2) According to recent World Health Organization figures, “there is new evidence that
adult HIV infection rates have decreased in certain countries and that changes in
behaviour to prevent infection […] have played a key part in these declines.
[Nevertheless, the report also indicates] that overall trends in HIV transmission are still
increasing, and that far greater HIV prevention efforts are needed to slow the epidemic.”
AIDS Epidemic Update: December 2005,
http://www.who.int/hiv/pub/epidemiology/epiupdate2005/en/index.html
(3) http://www.who.int/hiv/pub/epidemiology/epiupdate2005/en/index.html

Picture shows participants of the conference. The Galilee Society' Mohammad Khatib is
s
second from the left.

Tamra Diabetes Patient on Raising Awareness about the Disease: Information
Sharing is Crucial
“I don’t expect this project to improve my life to 100%, but I do hope it will raise a lot of
awareness and help us, as diabetics, to control our disease more efficiently.” This is the
feeling of one of the patients involved in the Galilee Society’s Diabetes and
Cardiovascular Disease project in the Arab town of Tamra in northern Israel. At the age
of 60, Mohammad (not his real name) has lived with diabetes for 4 years and struggled
not only with the medical and financial consequences of the disease, but also the social
and cultural pressures Arab society puts on him and other diabetics.

Diabetes is a growing problem in our world today and as an illness it can have serious
consequences for the patient. According to a recent article in the New York Times,
“diabetics are two to four times more likely than others to develop heart disease or have
a stroke, and three times more likely to die of complications from flu or pneumonia. […]
Most diabetics [also] suffer nervous-system damage and poor circulation, which can lead
to amputations of toes, feet and entire legs”. (1) Control of the disease is possible
through careful monitoring, changes in lifestyle and correct medication. This however
requires a great deal of effort and resources.

In Israel diabetes tends to be more common among the Arab population than among

Jews and there are specific cultural and social barriers that make treatment of the
disease more difficult. When asked about such obstacles, Mohammad says, “our
community is still defined as closed and traditional” and this gives rise to two main
obstacles. First, it is crucial for diabetic patients to exercise and to lead a healthy life.
However, doing sports or exercising is not common in the traditional Arab society. Proper
facilities are often lacking, and because of the embarrassment felt many simply choose
not to exercise.

Secondly, it is difficult to control one’s diet efficiently during the various festivities that
form an important part of Arab culture. Traditional food, cakes and sweets are served in
abundance and refusing this food constitutes an insult to the host. When asked what he
does in a situation like this, Mohammad responds: “I eat anyway, because I don’t want to
be rude. Many people know I am diabetic, but I still face the same pressure because
people are not aware of the implications of my disease.”

Through the Galilee Society’s project Mohammad nevertheless hopes this situation will
begin to change. On the one hand he is hoping the services of the Kupat Holim Clalit
(health service) in the town will improve by the appointment of a doctor specialized in
diabetes, because more involvement with the patients on the part of health professionals
is needed.

At the same time the financial aspect of managing diabetes is a problem, since diabetic
patients in Israel must pay a minimum of 15% in co-payments for the medication they are
prescribed under the Government basket of services. The average wage in the Arab
community is relatively low (2) and if patients cannot afford their medication, they might
simply reduce their dosage. This is very harmful to the patients’ health and such
problems need to be dealt with urgently. As part of its project in Tamra, the Galilee
Society therefore aims to conduct an advocacy campaign, to influence the Ministries of
Health and Finance to expand the basket of services for diabetic and cardiovascular
disease patients.

One crucial thing that has changed however, according Mohammad from Tamra, is that
diabetics in his town are meeting and discussing their disease. They are no longer alone
in trying to deal with the economic and cultural pressures that negatively affect their
treatment of the disease. He is hoping in the near future a center could be set up, where
diabetics could get together, to talk or to exercise, and where special food would be
served. As he says, “it is important that we are together as a group and that we feel that
someone is taking us seriously.”

Being listened to and taken seriously is also crucial if the opinions in the wider Arab
community are going to change. Many seem unsympathetic to diabetic patients simply
because they are unaware of the consequences the disease has. Mohammad’s main
message is therefore that “it is all about information. As long as the patients themselves
receive the information they need and are made aware, they can share this with their
families and others in the society. Once such an exchange is made possible there can be
change.”

(1) N.R. Kleinfield, Diabetes and its Awful Toll Quietly Emerge as a Crisis, 6 January
2006
(2) Many of the diabetes patients are over the age of 60 and/or earn less than 1,500 NIS
(around $350) per month. This means they end up spending up to 30% of their income
on medication.

Picture shows the patient interviewed (who wished to remain anonymous) overlooking
the Arab town of Shefa-Amr.

Rikaz Community Survey to Analyze all Arab Localities in Israel
Since the July 2005 launch of its Socio-Economic Survey of Palestinians in Israel 2004,
(see Galilee Society Newsletter Issue 15 for more information) the Galilee Society’s
Rikaz Databank (www.rikaz.org) has been developing another major project; a
Community Survey of every locality in Israel with a significant Arab population.

Significant disparities exist between Jewish and Arab localities in Israel as a result of
Arab communities receiving disproportionately low budget allocations from the Israeli
Government. This means the Palestinian minority in Israel suffers from considerably
lower standards of living and a poorer level of services, which in the case of the Bedouin
of the unrecognized villages in the Naqab even amounts to a lack of the most basic
services such as health care, water and education.

Reliable and up-to-date statistical data concerning the conditions of the Arab minority in
Israel and the existing disparities between Arab and Jewish localities is, however,
scarce. The Rikaz Community Survey therefore aims to fill an important information gap
in the Israeli society by collecting data about local institutions (educational, cultural,
religious and health), services (governmental and non-governmental), economic
resources (private and public), and infrastructure in Arab communities. Such
comprehensive, current information is crucial for effective planning, advocacy and
continued development among Palestinians in Israel, which is why Rikaz continues its
work to expand the already extensive databank.

Work on the Community Survey began in October 2005 and preparations are well
underway for the fieldwork, which is set to begin shortly. The questionnaires have been
finalized and approved by the Steering Committee and a team of around 25 field workers
has been chosen. This group of field researchers is due to participate in a 3-4 day
training workshop taking place at the beginning of February. This will provide them with
training concerning the details of the questions, on how to complete the questionnaires,
and any other information needed for the successful completion of the survey.

Concerning the fieldwork itself, Mr. Ahmad Sheikh Muhammad, the Director of Rikaz,
says “we are hoping to get started with this at the beginning of March”. After contact has
been made with the various local authorities involved, two Arab locations will be chosen
for a pilot survey and, once the results of this are compiled, the rest of the survey can go
ahead. The fieldwork part of the Survey is planned to be completed by the end of March
2006.

Other News in Brief and How to Donate
THE GALILEE SOCIETY DEPARTMENTS PLAN FOR 2006

During the end of December the department heads, staff and Board of the Galilee Society convened to plan their
projects and activities for 2006. This planning process included all the departments of the General Program (the
Health Rights Center, the Environmental Justice Center, Rikaz Databank, and the Naqab Department) as well as the

Strategic Projects (the Regional Research and Development Center, and Al-Maissam Medicinal Plants Center). New
programs were planned, existing programs developed and new challenges identified, together with strategies for
managing challenges. As part of the planning process, the Environmental Justice Charter was developed to focus the
work of the Environmental Justice Center and to set clear principles that guide its work (see separate article on the
Charter).

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED IN DIABETES PROJECT CONVENE FOR STUDY DAY

A meeting was organized, on 9 December 2005 in Tamra, for the various health professionals of the Kupat Holim
Clalit health services involved in the Galilee Society’s Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease project in the town. A
total of around 50 doctors, nurses and social workers participated in this study day that dealt with various medical
and cultural aspects of diabetes treatment.

The opening session of the workshop included a speech by Mr. Adel Abu El Hija, the Mayor of Tamra, as well as Mr.
Hassan Awad, the regional director of Kupat Holim Clalit, as well as Mr. Wael Omri, the Chair of the Board of the
Galilee Society.

This was followed by two lectures. First, Dr. Naim Shehadeh, Endocrinologist and Director of the Children’s
Department at Rambam Hospital in Haifa, spoke on the topic of new methods of diabetes treatment, focusing on
insulin treatment. The Deputy General Director of the Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit at Rambam Hospital in Haifa,
Dr. Deeb Daoud, on the other hand, gave a lecture concerning the various cultural and social factors influencing self-
treatment among Arab diabetic patients.

Mr. Mohammad Khatib, General Program Director at the Galilee Society, also presented the organization’s Diabetes
and Cardiovascular Disease Project and some of the preliminary results from questionnaires conducted among
patients. This was followed by a panel discussion between health professionals and a local Muslim religious leader,
as well as an open discussion for the participants of the study day.

Mr. Mohammad Khatib who oversaw the organization of the study day was pleased with the outcome. Many of the
health professionals present were enthusiastic about the project and keen to get more involved.

ASBESTOS ROOF REPLACED IN TEL KSEIF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN THE NAQAB

In accordance with the decision of the Israeli Ministry of Education, the Local Authority of Kseife, at the beginning of
January, replaced the asbestos infested roof of Tel Kseif Elementary School. The decision of the Ministry of
Education to contribute 200,000 NIS (about $42,000) towards the replacement of the roof came in response to a
petition sent out by the Galilee Society’s Environmental Justice Center and Naqab Department. (For more
information about the case, please see the Galilee Society Newsletter Issue 17.)

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CENTER ACTIVITIES

On 15 December 2005 the R&D Center received a visit from Prof. Dan Zaslavsky and Mrs. Frida Sofer from the
National Science Council. Appointed by the Israeli Prime Minister, this committee works to evaluate all of the
country’s research centers and universities and to make recommendations to the Prime Minister concerning possible
budgetary or other changes. The researchers presented their ongoing research activities and the visitors expressed
their views on these, the level of work and the quality of publications.

On 28 December 2005 Dr. Sobhi Basheer (Senior Scientist) and Dr. Isam Sabbah (R&D Center Director) also met
with the Minister of Agriculture and with representatives of the Olive Council of Southern Israel. The meeting took
place in Rishon Lezion and dealt with the issue of olive mill wastewater. Dr. Basheer and Dr. Sabbah presented the
latest findings of their Olive Mill Wastewater project and the feasibility of their technology for treating wastewater was

considered.

PARENTS’ COMMITTEES TO MEET IN NAQAB

The Galilee Society’s Naqab Department is planning a large congress for the different parents’ committees of the
Bedouin schools in the Naqab. This is the first time such a meeting has been planned and the aim is to discuss the
various issues the students and parents in the Naqab are concerned with. In an attempt to improve the conditions for
the Bedouins of the Naqab, these concerns will then be passed on to the Israeli Ministry of Education.

DONATE

Help achieve equitable health, environmental, and socio-economic conditions and development opportunities for
Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel by supporting the Galilee Society' work.
s

How To Donate to the Galilee Society

TAX-EXEMPT DONATIONS
In order to facilitate giving, the Galilee Society is in the process of gaining tax-exempt status in the United States, via
the Friends of the Galilee Society. Until the status is granted, tax-exempt donations can be made through Healing
Across the Divides. To donate via Healing Across the Divides, please mark contributions as donor-advised to the
Galilee Society and send to:

Norbert Goldfield, M.D.
Executive Director
Healing Across the Divides, Inc
POB 22
Northampton, MA 01061-0022
USA
nigoldfield@healingdivides.org
Tel: +1 413 586 5226

DIRECT DONATIONS
To donate to the Galilee Society directly, please send checks (in any currency) payable to the Galilee Society at:
PO Box 330
Shefa-Amr, 20200
Israel

Alternatively, bank transfers (in any currency) can be made directly to the Galilee Society' bank account. Account
s
Name: The Galilee Society: The Arab National Society for Health Research and Services; Account no. 9800; Bank
name and address: Bank SWIFT code: POALILIT.

Please inform us of your donation at fnassar@gal-soc.org

The Galilee Society - The Arab National Society for Health Research and Services is a leading community-based Arab NGO.
The overriding goal of the Galilee Society is the achievement of equitable health and socio-economic conditions for the
Palestinian citizens of Israel.

The Galilee Society
P.O. Box 330, Shefa-Amr 20200, Israel

Tel.: +972 4 986 1171
Fax: +972 4 986 1173
Email: admin@gal-soc.org

Issue18

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