Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish

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I Shall Not Hate
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish - now known simply as "the Gaza doctor" captured hearts and headlines around the world in the aftermath of horrific tragedy: on January 16, 2009, Israeli shells hit his home in the Gaza Strip, killing three of his daughters and a niece. But it was Abuelaish's response to the loss of his children that made news and won him humanitarian awards around the world. Instead of seeking revenge or sinking into hatred, in this personal account of his life, Izzeldin Abuelaish is calling for the people of the Middle East to start talking to each other. His deepest hope is that his daughters will be the last sacrifice on the road to peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

Summary Profile

Known as "the Gaza Doctor," Izzeldin Abuelaish is the author of the bestselling book I Shall Not Hate, which chronicles his life growing up in Gaza and the development of his outlook on life and peace in Israel and Palestine. Dr. Abuelaish's three daughters were killed during the War on Gaza in January 2009, minutes before he was to speak live on an Israeli TV program. That raw and painful cry of a parent was heard around the world and may have contributed to ending the military invasion.

Since then Dr. Abuelaish has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and received many awards for his contribution to the fight for peace in Gaza.

Izzeldin Abeulaish is a Palestinian doctor and infertility expert who was born and raised in the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. He received a scholarship to study medicine in Cairo, Egypt, and then received a diploma from the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of London. He completed a residency in the same discipline at Soroka hospital in Israel, followed by a subspecialty in fetal medicine in Italy and Belgium. He then undertook a masters in public health at Harvard University.

He lives in Toronto with his five remaining children. He is an associate professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto.

Client Testimonials:

"Dr. Abuelaish is a remarkable man who despite much suffering by him, his family and his people brings a message of forgiveness and love while advocating passionately for dignity and justice."

"Tonight, I heard a great man. I witnessed brilliance. I heard love and grace. Love that conquers hate. Hope that vanquishes cynicism."

Attendee, Abuelaish national tour

"I would like to thank you profusely for such a marvelous, inspiring speech you gave to our students. They were spellbound and your words, coming as they did from the heart, made a huge and profound impact. It was for them and for me a speech we will remember for years to come. Your remarkable story of deep personal tragedy and profound loss, and your message of burying anger and seeking reconciliation and hope, made a huge impact. It is a story and important life message that bears retelling many, many times over. I cannot tell you what an enormous privilege it was for us to have you with us. We all came away from the evening much wiser and personally enriched."

Chancellor's Professor & Director, Carleton University