Canadian Health Professionals Support Flotilla 2 and its Mission to Break the Siege of Gaza

July 2, 2011

The undersigned Canadian health professionals join with people from across Canada in support of Flotilla II, the fleet of boats carrying over one thousand courageous people aiming to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. This year, the generosity of the Canadian public has made it possible for the Canadian Boat to Gaza, the Tahrir, to join this international convoy. The international civilian initiative is undertaken in the face of intractable political impasse.

The sailing of Flotilla II could not be more timely. The level of abject poverty among the Palestinians of Gaza has tripled since the imposition of the blockade in 2007 on an already impoverished and traumatized civilian population. At present, 61% of households do not have enough food and the allocation of potable water is far below the World Health Organization minimum standard of 100 liters/day. The World Food Programme, the Food and Agricultural Organization, and U.N. Development Programme all report dire conditions of malnutrition and untreated health problems. Children who comprise over 50 percent of the population suffer from micronutrient malnutrition, lack of access to health service and education, death and disability from war and ongoing psychological trauma. Many have known no other life.

There is ample will to help, so ending the blockade is crucial. We call on our government to do its part: to stand up for the boats’ safe passage to Gaza, and to demand the immediate end of this punishing, criminal blockade.



HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Reem Abdul Qadir, M.S.W.
Neil Arya, M.D.
Sharon Baltman, M.D. General Practitioner, Psychotherapist
Ahmed Bayoumi, M.D., MSc FRCPC
Michaela Beder, M.D.
Barbara Birkett, M.D. Physicians for Global Survival
Gary Bloch, M.D., CCFP Toronto
David Burman, DDS, Ph.D.
Smadar Carmon, Social Service Worker
Edwin Daniel, Ph.D. (Professor Emeritus Pharmacology, University of Alberta)
James Deutsch, M.D., Ph.D. FRCPC
Judith Deutsch, M.S.W., R.S.W.
Karla Dozzi, R.N., Primary Care Nurse
Michael A. Dworkind, M.D., FCFP
Miriam Garfinkle M.D.
Ritika Goel, MD, CCFP
Paul Hamel, Ph.D. Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Kathy Hardill, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Mary L. Heiberg, M.B., B.Ch. (family physician, retired)
Andrea Albagli Iruretagoyena, Clinical Psychologist, MPH candidate
Michael Johnstone Registered Nurse
Mira Khazzam, M.A., Dipl. Cand. International School of Analytical Psychology,
Peggy Lathwell MD
Joel Lexchin MD Emergency Department,University Health Network.Toronto
Tarek Loubani, MD, CCFP (EM), London, Ontario
Lisa McCaskell, nurse and health and safety researcher
Jesse McLaren, M.D.
Basem Naser, M.D.
Nanky Rai, M.P.H., M.D. candidate
Floyd Rudmin, Ph.D.
Joanna Santa Barbara, M.D, Physicians for Global Survival
Elisabeth Sterken, nutritionist, MSc, Dt.
Ross Sutherland, RN, Hartington, Ontario
Wahida Valiante, M.S.W.
Naomi Binder Wall, therapist
Joshua Weiner, B.A. Health Sciences (Hon)
Scott Weinstein, R.N. Nurse
Judith Weisman, therapist


MINISTERS
Ken DeLisle, Diaconal Minister, United Church of Canada
Rev. Desmond Jagger-Parsons BA, LLB, MDiv
Rev. Brian McIntosh Diaconal Minister, United Church of Canada
Rev. Christina Paradela
Irene Rainey, Diaconal Minister, United Church of Canada
Dr. Barry Rieder Community Minister
The Rev. Dr. Mervyn Russell and Mrs. Patricia Russell
Lori Stewart, Diaconal Minister, United Church of Canada


The following are not health professionals but have asked to sign this letter:
Doug Brown, M.Sc., P.Eng.
Wael Ghuneim, President Palestinian Association of Hamilton
Atif Kubursi, Emeritus Professor of Economics, McMaster University
Abby Lippman, Ph.D., Professor Emerita McGill University
Henry Lowi, *LL.B. (TAU), J.D. (UWO)*
Richard Borshay Lee, Professor Emeritus University of Toronto
Kevin MacKay, Professor Mohawk College
Don Maitland, M.Ed.
Richard Marcuse, M.A.
Anisa S. Mirza Project Manager – Engaged Youth in Motion
Dieter Misgeld, Ph.D. Emeritus Professor University of Toronto
Susan Rice, Certified General Accountant
Marty Roth, Ph.D. Emeritus Professor University of Minnesota
Ken Stone, Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT)
Laura Westra, Ph.D. (Professor Emerita University of Windsor)
Anne Wolkow, B.A. Philosophy



For more information contact:
Judy Deutsch
Phone: 647-240-3608