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Arlene Kushner Arlene Kushner works in Jerusalem as an investigative journalist and author. She recently prepared a major report, "The Myth of a Moderate Fatah" for the Center for Near East Policy Research. In Israel, her articles have appeared in The Jerusalem Post, Azure Magazine and YNet. Her work, including frequent postings, can be found here.
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By Arlene Kushner
May 30, 2007
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The Other Face of Israel
Arlene Kushner
On the morning of May 29, Oshri Oz, 36, was in Sderot -- which is the target of a steady barrage of Kassams from Gaza these days. A computer technician, he came to Sderot twice a week from Hod Hasharon, where he lived, to service the computer network for Peretz Bonei HaNegev, a Sderot company for which he had once worked full time. According to acquaintances, he went without fear and with cheerful good nature.
On this occasion, a Kassam landed near his car, causing injuries that were ultimately fatal. The Magen David medic who treated Oshri on the scene was a friend of 25 years standing; at first he didn't recognize the blood-covered victim of the rocket attack.
Oshri's wife, Suzanne, eight months pregnant, was watching the news when she saw the video of a car that had been in an attack. She recognized it as her husband's car, and collapsed. She collapsed again the next day, at the funeral. Oshri's sister laid down on the fresh grave after he was buried, and wept.
Oshri leaves behind a three-year old daughter, Danielle. The child was informed by her maternal grandmother of her father's death; though it was felt she was too young to fully comprehend, there was certainly a level at which she "got it." Suzanne's father, serving as family spokesman, mourned the incomprehensible loss of the son-in-law who was like a son to him, and wondered how the family would go on.
On the very same day that Oshri Oz was killed by Palestinians, YNet has reported, a Magen David ambulance went to the Ezra Crossing at Gaza in order to pick up an eight-day old Palestinian baby, and brought him to the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer. The child had a congenital heart defect and required speedy surgery in order to survive.
"We transfer patients from the Gaza Strip under fire on a daily basis," said Moshe Vaknin, of MDA, "Last week, our medics continued to treat a patient while shells were fired at the terminal at Erez. During the Shavuot holiday we evacuated another baby in an incubator, endangering our staff."
Head of the Department of Pediatric & Congenital Cardiothoracic Surgery at the hospital, Dr. Dudu Mishali, explained that an average of three Palestinian children with heart problems arrive from Gaza at his department every week. "We have daily communications by phone and fax with doctors in Gaza. There is no heart surgeon in the Strip, so they transfer all of these children, and there are many, to be operated on here.
"Our treatment has not changed over the last few days. This cooperation has survived difficult times of terrorism and bombings."
Not only does Tel Hashomer take in these Palestinian children, hospital staff works to raise private donations to help cover costs. The Palestinian Authority provides only half the expenses.
The human suffering and the incredible human caring: All part of the face of Israel, a face that is too rarely seen by the rest of the world.
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
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