Monday, January 25th
Hear from Israel’s leading human rights attorney, Michael Sfard; Executive Director of Physicians for Human Rights – Israel, Ran Goldstein, and bereaved Israeli and Palestinian mothers and spokespersons, Robi Damelin and Layla Alsheikh, to get a better understanding of the questions around Israel’s legal, moral and human responsibility to vaccinate the Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza.
Michael Sfard is a dedicated international human rights lawyer and activist. He represents Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations, communities, committees and individuals. Sfard’s cases deal directly with the Occupation, and range from those dealing with the route of the Separation Barrier to defending conscientious objectors and Palestinian prisoners.
Ran Goldstein is the executive director at Physicians for Human Rights – Israel. He has previously worked as a senior executive for Ben Or Consulting, where he acted as a spokesperson for several Israel NGOs, before working as the spokesman for the International Red Cross Committee.
Robi Damelin’s son, David, was killed by a Palestinian sniper in 2002 while guarding a checkpoint near a settlement during his army reserve service. She speaks to Israelis, Palestinians, and audiences all over the world to demand that reconciliation be a part of any peace agreement. Robi was named a 2015 Woman of Impact by Women in the World.
Layla Alsheikh lives in Bethlehem in the West Bank. In 2002, her 6 months old son, Qussay, became ill and Israeli soldiers prevented Layla from taking him to the hospital for more than five hours. Qussay soon died from the lack of timely treatment. Layla joined the Parents Circle in 2016. Following her son’s death, she never thought of revenge, but rather has devoted her time and energy to ensuring a better, more peaceful future for her children.
Shiri Ourian
Executive Director, American Friends of the Parents Circle – Families Forum
