Galilee Society - Annual Report 2007

1. The Galilee Society
The Arab National Society for Health Research & Services (RA)
1
Annual Report 2007

2. A Word from Our Administration
In 2007, the Galilee Society achieved a number began on an additional 600 m2 space above the
of significant milestones towards promoting Galilee Society headquarters building that will
the health, welfare, and environment of the house the Regional Research & Development
Palestinian community in Israel through a multi- Center from mid-2008 onwards. We are grateful
faceted platform of scientific research, education, for the outpouring of community support for this
and advocacy. As such, it is with great honor that effort, as well as to all our donors without whom
we present to you the following summary of all our work would not be possible.
our departmental activities undertaken in the last
year. We would like to invite all the members of the
Galilee Society as well as the general public to
The Galilee Society has witnessed a number of share their suggestions and opinions, and to
changes which allow for the expansion and re- work with us in our mission to promote public
2 orienting of our programs. Dr. Basel Ghattas welfare and services. The board and staff of the
stepped down from the General Director position Galilee Society join us in thanking everyone who
which he held for more than 12 years. We are has contributed to the organization’s continued
grateful for his longstanding leadership and activities and growth. We would especially like
contribution. We appreciate the enormous effort to thank our donors and partners from different
Dr. Ghattas has committed to the Galilee Society organizations, and we hope that this cooperation
and the Palestinian community in Israel over the will enable us to continue working for the benefit
years. Before he left, he ensured that construction of our greater society.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Wael Omari Mr. Mohammad Khatib

3. 3
The Health
Rights Center

4. The Galilee Society’s Health Rights Center strives to improve the health status,
and achieve equality of health services, for the Palestinian minority in Israel. Its
underlying principle is that the consideration of the health status of a society is a
fundamental component of the development process.
The Center works according to several strategies: among the Palestinian community in Israel. Primarily
1. The strengthening of health education in various funded by the Church of Scotland, this project began
areas and consolidating its impact so that it will in 2005.
be reflected positively on the public health of the
Palestinian Arab community; Activities in 2007 included:
2. The development, expansion and Holding peer educator workshops at two different
institutionalization of the information network high schools, and training high school students
regarding the health of the Palestinian Arab on issues of health, sexually transmitted diseases,
population in Israel as an essential foundation for and HIV/AIDS. The workshops follow the Peer
4 health and environmental planning; Education Model, which trains young people to
3. The planning and implementation of direct act as peer role models and advisors, empowering
intervention programs related to specific health them by providing them with health information
issues on the basis of available information and and methods of guidance.
research; and Printing and distribution of 1500 Arabic-language
4. Wide marketing of Galilee Society publications on informational pamphlets on HIV/AIDS produced
health issues relevant to the Palestinian community by the Galilee Society.
in Israel (a guide for female youth, breast cancer,  delegation of young people from the Church
A
HIV/AIDS, etc). of Scotland joined the peer educators who
participated in the Galilee Society HIV/AIDS
Health Rights Center Projects in 2007 project in a joint workshop in July 2007. These
1. HIV/AIDS Education and Awareness Program 30 young people took part in activities focusing
The Galilee Society is the sole organization to offer on preventing HIV/AIDS, and breaking down
preventative education on HIV/AIDS so widely stereotypes.

5. Holding HIV/AIDS prevention workshops for directed towards Palestinian women in Israel,
boarding school professionals and orphaned youth and the second addresses the role of the family
in Ebilin and Nazareth in encouraging women in the process of early
Reaching over 120 students through awareness- detection. 5,000 copies of each were printed.
raising lectures at high schools in Nazareth, Ebilin, Participating in the US State Department Breast
Reineh and Jdaidy Makr. Cancer Awareness and Community Outreach
Achieving accreditation from the Ministry of project. The Galilee Society’s Project Coordinator
Education for a training course for professionals for this program joined seventeen participants
involved with children, which will be run in from many Arab countries in a tour of the United
2008 in coordination with the Arab Forum for States. The group strategized about the challenges
Sexuality. of their breast cancer awareness campaigns, and
Implementing a comprehensive media campaign met with organizations including the National
for World AIDS Day on December 1st. High school Institute of Health, the American Cancer Society,
graduates of the Galilee Society program, as well Susan G Komen for the Cure, and organizations
as General Director Mohammad Khatib, were working with minority populations in the US.
interviewed for Arabic language radio stations. Conducting lectures in six high schools in
A downloadable PowerPoint presentation in Nazareth, Reineh and Tamra.
Arabic was made available on the Galilee Society Holding the first training course for professionals.
website. The course is designed to train health professionals
and social workers to be responsive to the special
2. Breast Cancer Awareness Project needs of Palestinian women in Israel, and increase
This pioneering project aims to address a general lack the number of women comfortably obtaining
of awareness about breast cancer in the Palestinian breast cancer exams. 5
population in Israel, through a broad Arabic-language
campaign addressing women, their families and health 3. Scholarships for Health Educators
care professionals. Breast cancer, the leading cause This project recognizes and supports outstanding
of cancer mortality in Israeli women, is increasing at Palestinian students in Israel in the field of community
a faster rate among Palestinian women in Israel, who health promotion.
suffer from a higher mortality rate from the disease. A
sensitive issue, a special effort is required to address  qualified MPH students received scholarships
Six
breast cancer in the Palestinian public in Israel in a after submitting proposals for community health
culturally specific and sensitive manner. projects, which they implemented in the summer
of 2007.
Activities in 2007 included: Topics the students addressed in their projects
Printing two leaflets and a poster in the Arabic included childhood obesity, hypertension in the
language, explaining breast cancer and the elderly, health effects of waterpipe smoking, and
importance of early detection. One leaflet is the use of seatbelts among Arab children.

6. 6
The Environmental
Justice Center

7. The Environmental Justice Center’s goals are to develop the values of justice and realize individual
and collective rights as they pertain to the environmental and health conditions of Palestinian
citizens in Israel. The Center strives to achieve equal environmental conditions for these citizens
through employing a number of strategies to raise public awareness and promote environmental
justice. Environmental conditions do not relate only to the physical surroundings of an individual or
community. They also constitute the social, psychological and aesthetic aspects that contribute to a
healthy environment. This more holistic view of environment is our guide.
The Center works to provide financial and its services in 2007. An interactive form available
professional resources to address environmental on the Internet allows anyone to submit a concern
hazards in the Palestinian community including directly to EJC litigators, and a link was added to
the absence of environmental infrastructure, the popular Arab48 website.
lack of sewage systems, and the spread of stone  pollution: The Center’s work in air pollution
Air
quarries and illegal dumping sites near Palestinian pivots around legal defense and preventing the
towns and villages. As a crucial component of construction or clustering of factories and polluting 7
this work, in 2007 the EJC began to coordinate industries in the vicinity of Palestinian localities in
its work with that of the Health Rights Center Israel. In 2007, EJC air pollution advocacy focused
because these environmental problems have clear on two environmentally hazardous plants - a tire
public health implications. recycling factory and a gas warehouse - that were
planned to be built in Shefa Amr.
Environmental Justice Center Projects in 2007 Sewage: The Center continues to draw attention
to the lack of environmental infrastructure in
1. Environmental Advocacy and Legal Action Palestinian localities in Israel, especially the lack
The Environmental Justice Center pursued the of sewage networks. In the village of Majd Al
following legal advocacy activities in 2007: Kroum, sewage flooding was a recurring problem
 The GreenLine: Initiated in 2006, the EJC’s that resulted in cases of West Nile Virus in 2007.
environmental hotline continued and expanded A local citizen donated pesticides, which were

8. constituting collective punishment and hazards
sprayed as a public health precaution in late to public health. Following the latest water
summer in the village. The EJC brought the issue shutoff in the Fall of 2007, the Galilee Society’s
to the attention of the Ministry of the Environment, lawyer requested immediate intervention from
which initiated an investigation. As a result of the Knesset Committee for Interior Affairs and
a class action lawsuit brought by the EJC, the Protection of the Environment. On November
problem of the lack of sewage infrastructure is 12th, the Committee held a session to hear the
currently being resolved in the village. EJC claims. The Committee stated they were
Asbestos: Children have the right to a safe school concerned with this appalling policy which harms
environment. Asbestos is a known carcinogen innocents, elderly, and students, and furthermore
and illegal for use in buildings, yet it is found in condemned Mekorot for allowing the cutoffs. The
neglected school buildings attended by Palestinian Committee ordered Mekorot to stop practicing
children in Israel. In 2007, the Ministry of Education
8 acted in response to an EJC petition to refurbish Al
water shutoffs, and to instead solve matters of non-
payment through dialogue and legal proceedings.
Salaam School in Majd Al Kroum. Before work As a result of this success, the Galilee Society has
on Omar Iben al Khattab School - also in Majd Al been asked to suggest a coalition of NGOs to
Kroum - could begin, a fire struck the building and collaborate on the issue of water shutoffs to begin
spread asbestos into the air. The EJC sent urgent in 2008.
letters to the Local Authority and the Ministries of Illegal Waste Sites: In 2007, the EJC continued
Environment and Education to alert them to the its advocacy activities regarding legal waste sites
health risk of aerated asbestos. The government at the request of concerned citizens. Letters were
has agreed to deal with the problem. submitted to the Ministry of the Environment
Water Cutoffs: Mekorot, the national water utility pressing for permanent solutions for people who
company, maintains a policy of cutting off water need to dispose of rubbish, and for illegal sites to
supplies to entire Palestinian villages in Israel to be cleaned.
punish partial non-payment by local authorities,

9. 2. Environmental Education and of 60 Arab high school students to clean up the
Awareness Raising beach bordering the last remaining Arab coastal
The EJC continued its education work among the village in Israel.
Palestinian community in Israel through: Holding Study Days on environmental justice,
 Environmental Education Scholarships: Qualified sustainable development and the Galilee Society’s
bachelor’s and master’s level Palestinian university Stone Quarry Report.
students were awarded scholarships to aid their
studies. The students completed reports on 3. Research
environmental projects that they conducted in The EJC considers research as the necessary basis
their home communities. for any successful environmental advocacy:
 Two lectures on environmental education were  a result of the Stone Quarry Report findings, the
As
given to teachers of the environment in Acre. A EJC is planning a campaign to address the problem 9
seminar was also held in Majd Al Kroum for local of stone quarries on a national level.
citizens following the water shutoff, regarding  The EJC is currently preparing a report on the
the legal aspects of water shutoffs and the problem of sewage infrastructure in Arab villages.
environmental situation in Northern Israel.  special report on environmental issues will
A
 Arab Environmental Writers’ Competition: This be published after a review of the data from the
competition began in 2007 to provide opportunities Galilee Society’s 2007 Socio-Economic Survey of
for gifted Palestinian writers to produce culturally Palestinians in Israel, which covered 3,270 Arab
specific environmental literature for Arab schools. households across the country.
The stories of three winners were published and
distributed to Arab schools and libraries.
 Beach Cleanup in Jeser el Zarka: As part of the
international initiative Clean up the Med, led by
Italian NGO Legambiente, the EJC led a group

10. 10
The Naqab
Department

11. The Bedouin of the Naqab (Negev) Desert, and particularly those residing in the unrecognized
villages, constitute the most disadvantaged among the Palestinian minority in Israel. The
Galilee Society’s Naqab Department therefore works to improve the general situation of
this group, through empowering the local community, and women in particular, to actively
further their own development, as well as through various advocacy and lobbying efforts.
2007 saw the third and final year of a grant from ACSUR, the Spanish Agency for International
Cooperation, and the Naqab Department continued its programs to strengthen health and
education initiatives in the Bedouin unrecognized villages of the Naqab.
Naqab Department initiatives in 2007 included: intended to raise awareness of breast cancer,
household accidents, nutrition and other subjects.
1. Advocacy and Public Awareness
Initiatives:
The Galilee Society’s health educator, who is also
a Bedouin woman, conducted the courses.
11
The main advocacy initiative regarded the issue of
sewage in Tel Kseife. Due to Environmental Justice Women’s Leadership: 65 women from various
Center pressure on the local and national authorities, unrecognized villages took part in these courses,
a 100m2 open pond of raw sewage was drained which is more advanced than the health education
and fenced off. Three Public Health Days were described above. These women were trained in
held in March, May and August 2007, as well as an
anatomy of the human body, pregnancy, stages of
Environmental Day. The events aimed to bring the
fetal development, breast cancer early detection,
community’s attention to campaigns focusing on
good nutrition, household accidents prevention
breast cancer, household accidents and nutrition.
and treatment, and First Aid.
2. Training Courses
First Aid for Daycare Teachers: During 2007, two
 Women’s Health Education: 163 Bedouin from
courses certified a total of 35 women in First Aid.
the unrecognized villages completed courses

12. 3. Special Training Programs Mobile Clinic: The Galilee Society’s long-
Youth-to-Youth, Stewards of Health and the established mobile clinic continued its essential
Environment: Bedouin youth participated in a services to the unrecognized villages in 2007.
training course about health and environmental In addition, the clinic was present at Public
issues and organized projects among their peers. Health Days, and explained the importance of
immunization and health care in the unrecognized
After completing training, the students organized a
villages.
health and environment day for their school in Al
Mostaqba, which was attended by 1,000 children
Publications: Following the Galilee Society’s
who participated in a litter clean-up activity.
successful First Regional Conference on Traditional
Arabic and Islamic Medicine that was held in
Special Needs Education Courses for Bedouin: Amman in August 2007, the Naqab Department
In the Naqab Department’s ongoing efforts to launched a nutrition campaign at the start of the
improve services for Arabic-speaking residents new school term. The campaign incorporates Al-
with special needs, it has successfully lobbied Maissam’s research on the benefits of indigenous
the state to offer Psychology and Special Needs plans of the region. Brochures about the uses and
education courses in Arabic at the Open University beneficial properties of indigenous plants were
in Beer ElSabe’ (Beer Sheva). This program marks distributed to pharmacies, mother and childcare
the first time many of these courses are offered in centers, national health clinics, and elementary
Arabic at the University. The Naqab Department schools throughout the Naqab. Health days were
continued working closely with the 22 women held at elementary schools to encourage children
to adopt positive behaviors. Additionally, all of
who are enrolled in the program, supporting them
12 with Hebrew language challenges and exam
the original brochures on health promotion that
were included in the health kits produced by the
preparation.
Naqab Department were reprinted in 2007 and
distributed on the regular rounds of the Mobile
Clinic and during courses and public awareness
events.

13. 13
Rikaz Databank
for the Palestinian
Minority in Israel
www.rikaz.org

14. Rikaz was born of the need for reliable and comprehensive information on the status and specific needs of
the Palestinian community in Israel. Its aim is to facilitate applied socio-economic research, development and
advocacy work for the benefit of, and to empower, the Palestinian minority in Israel. Rikaz serves to draw the
attention of the public, NGOs, decision-makers and the authorities to disparities between Palestinian and Jewish
living standards and thereby help to bridge a disconcerting information gap. A comprehensive computerized
information system, Rikaz collects and analyzes extensive data relating to this population group, providing
free, reliable and up-to-date information on the Internet (www.rikaz.org) for a variety of audiences.
Rikaz Projects in 2007 included: 130 of the 164 localities in Israel with a significant
2007 Socio-economic Survey: Supported by Arab population. The Community Survey collected
a grant from the European Commission, Rikaz data on local institutions (educational, cultural,
successfully completed the first year of this religious and health), services (governmental
major two-year project. From May through July and non-governmental), economic resources
2007, homes in 47 statistical areas throughout (private and public), and infrastructure in order
Israel were surveyed, obtaining 3,270 complete to determine what resources are present in these
and accurate questionnaires. Rikaz staff then communities. Analyzed together with the rest
processed the data and continued to do analysis of the data in Rikaz’s Databank, this survey can
until the end of the year in order to produce a show which further resources should be added
final report. The topics included in the survey to specific localities and can offer comparisons
will update data from the 2004 Socio-economic between other social groups in Israel.
14 Survey, which focused on demography, housing
and housing conditions, labor and labor force, ‘Ataa Report and Study Day- Security: A Collective
standards of living, education, media and culture, Right of the Palestinian Minority: In 2006, the
health, environment, agricultural holdings, and Galilee Society spearheaded a group initiative
public order. New questions were added to (‘Ataa) to create an Arabic emergency call-in center
gain a more complete understanding of health during the Israeli War on Lebanon to deal with the
and environmental status, especially access to many logistical questions and psychological issues
preventative health examinations. In 2008, Rikaz for Palestinians in Israel posed by the conflict. This
plans to write three focus reports analyzing the year, ‘Ataa published a groundbreaking report
2007 data. based on a survey conducted by Rikaz in 24 Arab
towns and villages in northern Israel, including
2006 Community Survey Report: Analysis and Haifa. It details the severe lack of emergency
writing of the final report for the extensive 2006 facilities and services in war-affected Palestinian
Community Survey was completed in December villages in Israel. Among the primary results of
2007. The Report compiles data collected from the report is that the state, through its numerous

15. apparatuses, did not sufficiently deal with the
consequences of its attack on Lebanon and the
Hezbollah missiles that landed on Palestinian
towns and villages in Israel. In addition, the
report demonstrates that Palestinian localities lack
facilities and services required to deal with states
of emergency, such as air raid sirens, shelters,
and Arabic language emergency literature and
warnings. Rikaz presented its findings at a study
day entitled Security: A Collective Right of the
National Minority in October 2007 in Haifa.
Updating Rikaz: Rikaz was updated in 2007 with
the official 2005 and 2006 Israeli Government
Labor Surveys. By updating the Databank with
these latest indicators, it is assured that Rikaz
Databank contains the latest comparative data on
the majority and minority communities in Israel.
Website Maintenance: In order to make its website
(www.rikaz.org) more accessible to target groups,
the Hebrew interface of Rikaz was translated
alongside the Arabic and English (slated to go on- 15
line in early 2008).

16. 16
The Resource
Development
Department

17. The Resource Development Department manages the Galilee Society’s relationships with
its foreign donors and serves the organization in many ways. It operates primarily in
English and is responsible for fundraising, including working with the Friends of the Galilee
Society in the US; donor reporting; the bi-monthly newsletter sent to over 2,000 recipients
worldwide; website updates and Annual Reports.
In 2007, the Department achieved many successes for the The Newsletter is sent to more than 2,000 recipients
Galilee Society, including: worldwide.
New grants from Roche and Teva pharmaceutical
companies to support the HRC’s Breast Cancer project. Internal Staffing and Capacity Building
The Resource Development will continue this successful Over the course of the year, Resource Development
strategy of tapping into corporate philanthropy in the Director Felice Nassar managed interns Chris Sutton
future. and Emily Antoon. The department also welcomed back
Laying the foundation for a new generous grant from former intern Jamie Mandell, now Resource Development
the Sigrid Rausing Foundation in the UK to support the Executive, to help manage the intricacies of the demands
activities of the Environmental Justice Center. placed on the department by the new grants obtained in
the previous year.
Fundraising and Donor Relations The Resource Development Department began in 2007
The department has successfully continued to manage to search for a qualified organizational development
the relationship with Misereor, the overseas development consultant to work alongside the General Director and the
agency of the Catholic Church, securing a two-year Resource Development department to build organizational
contract for 2008 and 2009. capacity, engage in program planning and evaluation,
Working to manage the reporting of the third and final year engage in strategic planning, and help oversee the resource 17
of the three-year grant from ACSUR Las Segovias. This development function of the organization.
grant, from the Spanish Cooperation, funded the Galilee
Society’s projects working with Bedouin women and Donors to the Galilee Society in 2007
children in the Naqab. ACSUR Las Segovias
Managing the Galilee Society’s first grant from the European Church of Scotland
Union, which was obtained in 2006 to support the unique European Union
and vital surveys of Palestinians in Israel, together with Ford Foundation
advocacy training, conducted by Rikaz Databank. Misereor
A significant number of tailored proposals were sent to Naomi & Nehemiah Cohen Foundation
foundations and personal contacts for the General Program Open Society Institute
as well as all individual projects. Roche Pharmaceuticals
All project and program reporting was carried out Susan G Komen for the Cure
according to the agreements with donor organizations. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
The Newsletter, with comprehensive articles and news Shefa Amr Municipality and Government Ministries
on the Galilee Society’s activities, was published seven Individuals
times in 2007: five full issues, and two special issues.

18. 18
The Regional
Research &
Development Center

19. The research activities of 2007 included the aims to develop a low cost wastewater treatment
continuation of research projects, as well as the in arid regions for use in irrigation. The project
initiation of new projects, in the following areas: started in 2007 and will last until 2010, funded
by the Federal Ministry of Education and
1. Agricultural and Environmental Projects Research (BMBF), Germany.
The examination of recovery and use of Conducting the first training program on the
polyphenols from olive wastes for innovative principles of compost science and technology:
products. Wastes from the olive industry Transfer the Knowledge. This workshop was
can cause environmental problems when held in Newe Ya’ar on July 4-5, 2007 within the
disposed of. The ultimate goal of this project framework of the joint MERC project between
is to utilize the olive mill wastes produced the R&D, Newe Ya’ar, Hebron University, and
in the Mediterranean region during olive oil the RSS (Jordan). The workshop focused on
extraction for the production of economical principles of composting science and technology
and environmentally safe antioxidants and applications to olive mill wastes. The workshop
antimicrobial products with innovative uses. includes 7 lectures, lab demonstrations, and
This project is in coordination with researchers a half-day visit at Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu (Beit
from the Technical University of Munich, She’an valley, northern Israel).
Germany. The project will last from 2007
until 2010, funded by the Federal Ministry of 2. Health and Medicinal Plants Projects
Education and Research (BMBF), Germany. The first Conference on Traditional Arabic
 removal of pharmaceuticals and pathogens
The and Islamic Medicine took place in Amman
from sewage water. The objective is to facilitate Jordan, August 2007. This groundbreaking
19
the sustainable, safe reuse of treated sewage conference was organized by the R&D Center
effluents. This project is in coordination in coordination with the Arab Group for the
with researchers at Haifa University and the Protection of Nature, Antaki Center for Herbal
Technion. It is funded by the Ministry of Medicine Ltd., Delass Co., and sponsored by the
Science and Technology, Israel. World Health Organization (WHO) and Sprunk
The production of bioethanol from agricultural Jansen Co, Denmark. The conference was
wastes, including the olive oil industry. This attended by over 130 scientists, students and
project is in coordination with researchers from representatives of pharmaceutical companies.
the Technion, and is funded by the Ministry of More than 35 presentations were given, and 65
Science and Technology, Israel. papers were presented as posters, discussing
The Helmholtz Dead Sea Project: this research issues related to Arab and Islamic medicine,

20. traditional uses of herbs, agricultural research, 3. Publications and Presentations
pharmaceutical compounds and remedies R&D Center researchers published 11
of human diseases. Attendees hailed from peer-reviewed papers in 2007. The topics
Algeria, Denmark, Egypt, France, Iran, Jordan, included wastewater treatment in Arab
Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, villages, biodegradation of phenols, botanical
20 
Switzerland, Tunisia, Uganda and the US.
Developing herbal remedies used in traditional
pesticides, treatment of olive mill and swine
wastes, traditional Arab and Islamic medicine,
Arabic medicine to treat various skin and liver and traditional Arabic botanical medicine for
diseases regulation of blood sugar in diabetes.
 addition to the above mentioned projects, a
In  Isam Sabbah participated in the “Research
Dr.
new Bioinformatics unit has been established and Development” panel of the Conference
at the R&D Center by the addition of new on Economic Development Opportunities and
researcher Dr. Malik Yousef. The field of Business Initiatives in the Arab Community.
Bioinformatics combines computer science, The conference was organized by Mossawa
mathematics, statistics and biology to analyze Center, the Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens
large amounts of biological data, and facilitate in Israel.
cross-discipline communication.  Hassan Azaizeh presented his research on
Dr.
Selenium in the human diet at the European

21. Cooperation in the field of Scientific and 4. Submitting Research Proposals
Technical Research Conference held at Ben The R&D Center’s researchers wrote more than
Gurion University October 23-25. He also 25 research proposals, which were submitted
presented his research on using microbes and to local and international funders.
plants (wetlands) to bioremediate contaminated Thus far, the R&D Center has gained funding for
soils from Selenium at the COST EU conference
held at Vilnius University, Lithuania May
five research projects, three from local funders
(the Ministry of Science and Technology) and
21
30-June 2. In addition, Dr. Azaizeh attended a two from international funders (two German
Biogas conference and presented his research funds: BIODISC and BMBF). The research
on the treatment of olive mill wastewater at projects were approved in the sum of 4 million
the Progress in Biogas Conference held at the NIS over a period of three years.
University of Hohenheim September 18-25.
Dr. Isam Sabbah presented the results of
the olive mill wastewater project at the New
Technologies for the Treatment and Valorization
of Agricultural Byproducts Conference in Terni,
Italy October 3-5.

22. 22
Al-Maissam
The Medicinal Plant
Center for Research and Education

23. In 2007, the Al-Maissam Center continued its core activities, which focus on the revival of Arab folk heritage,
protecting medicinal plants species, educating the local public on the uses of traditional medicinal plants,
and offering guidance to students in support of their research in the environment, biology, chemistry
and medicinal herbs. Led by new Al-Maissam Director Dr. Naim Karim, the Center began implementing
:
ambitious plans to expand Al-Maissam’s educational activities. In 2007, Al-Maissam increased the number
of educational stations and subjects to include botany, regional indigenous plants, marine life, :beekeeping, .
.
insects, recycling, environmental conservation, and the interconnectedness of all living things. . /
.
Al-Maissam Activities in 2007 included: 790 local high school students in completing their
 Day Visits: Nearly 3000 students representing final projects for the Israeli high. school graduation
.
all grade levels from surrounding villages visited certificate (Bagrut) in the areas of Biology,
Al-Maissam in 2007. On a typical day visit, the Chemistry and Environmental Sciences. 04-9861173 : 04-9861171 / 04-6419272 :
students learn first-hand about the Center’s activities naim@gal-soc.org maissam@gal-soc.org : www
starting with the greenhouse, and moving on to the Public Lectures: Al-Maissam’s public outreach
educational stations on beekeeping and organic engagements continued, with Dr. Naim Karim
fertilizers including compose and algae, and the delivering lectures in locations throughout the
model aquatic system. The students also move to country. 23
the medicinal plant laboratories to perform research
activities that are utilized in the development of Training Activities for Teachers: Al-Maissam held
natural products and medicinal herbs. a series of workshops to further the capabilities of
teachers in the environmental sciences, as well
The Young Researchers’ Program: 122 students as an internal capacity-building workshop for Al-
in grades 5 - 8 participate in science classes and Maissam’s teachers in 2007. These workshops
laboratory work, as well as completing individual are an opportunity for high school teachers to
research projects with the assistance of Al-Maissam learn about locally grown medicinal plants and
teachers for this program. their uses and project models for their pupils.
The internal workshop for Al-Maissam’s teachers
Final Assignments Program: In 2007, scientists aimed more specifically to prepare employees
from Al-Maissam and the Galilee Society’s for the expected influx of students in the coming
Regional Research & Development Center advised 2007-2008 academic year.

24. Board of Directors Naqab Department
Mr. Wael Omari Chair Adnan Sa’id Director
Mr. Abed Msalha Deputy Chairperson Dr. Salem Sane Strategic Program Coordinator
Ms. Rosland Daem Safaa Latawna Health Educator
Dr. Ilyad Jahshan Kholod Al Assad Administrative Assistant
Dr. Fathi Daqqa Maher Abu-Ratewesh Mobile Clinic Driver
Mr. Mohammad Al Shayib
Mr. Abed Al Rahman Jassar R&D Center
Dr. Isam Sabbah Scientific Director
General Director Dr. Sobhi Bashir Senior Researcher
Dr. Basel Ghattas (January-September 2007) Dr. Hassan Azaizeh Senior Researcher
Mr. Mohammad Khatib (September-December 2007) Dr. Ahmad Yazbik Senior Researcher
Prof. Bashar Saad Senior Researcher
Library Dr. Basel Ghattas Senior Researcher
Reema Hayek Dr. Jeries Jadoun Senior Researcher
Librarian and Assistant to the General Director Dr. Naim Najami Senior Researcher
Dr. Malik Yousef Senior Researcher
Financial Department Dr. Ahmad Tafish Senior Researcher
Suheir Hanna-Armali CPA and Director Dr. Medhat Osman Senior Researcher
Faris Halahly Lab Technician
Environmental Justice Center Ahlam Hayek Lab Technician
Shadi Azzam Lawyer Bernadette Abu Atta Research Assistant
Nidal Masalha Research Student
Rikaz Databank Bahaa Hadia Research Student
Ahmad Sheikh Muhammad Director and Developer Katy Baransi Research Student
Aid Rohanna Statistician Kler Tawafshe Administrative Assistant
24 Nabih Bashir Socioeconomic Researcher
Al-Maissam
Health Rights Center Dr. Omar Said Director (January-July 2007)
Abeer Ghantoos AIDS Project Coordinator Dr. Naim Kraim Director (July-December 2007)
Amira Othman Breast Cancer Project Coordinator Iman Said Guide
Hannan Mannaa Project Coordinator Hisham Shahin Guide
Assad Dhamshi Administrative Assistant
Resource Development Department
Felice Nassar Director
Jamie Mandell Officer
Chris Sutton Institutional Support
Emily Antoon Institutional Support
Entissar Shlewett Administrative Assistant
Staff
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