By Jaden Alaniz
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish will visit the University of the Incarnate Word on Feb. 17 and 18 to share his message that “hatred is a contagious and destructive disease.”
Abuelaish, who has faced significant trauma in his life, aims to help the community understand how choosing not to harbor hatred during times of loss has kept him motivated and moving forward, rather than succumbing to the “disease” of hatred.
Instead of allowing hate to overcome him, Abuelaish emphasized, “When you lose hope, you lose life.” He believes life is constant and unyielding, and that one must stay composed and balanced “in order to keep moving faster, stronger, and more determined.”
Abuelaish has devoted his life to advancing health and education opportunities for women in the Middle East.
Raised in the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, Abuelaish was the first Palestinian doctor to receive a medical appointment at an Israeli hospital. Tragically, he lost his wife to cancer and three daughters to a tank shell. He now advocates for action, stating, “What makes the evil flourish in this world is for good people to do nothing.” He hopes that the dreams, plans, and hopes of his daughters can be fulfilled by other girls.
