Israel: A doctor's verdict

ALTHOUGH many people are critical of Israel's policies towards the Palestinians in the occupied territories, very few are aware of the racism and discrimination faced by the Arab minority within the borders of the zionist state itself.

Constituting some 20 to 25 per cent of the overall population, they battle against poor public services, badly paid jobs, a vicious security force and a degree of political disenfranchisement that makes the term second-class citizens sound a bit of an exaggeration.

Despite being a child during the terrible years of ethnic cleansing, Hatim Kanaaneh was fortunate enough to be trained as a doctor and this book is a memorable compilation of diary entries about his career over a 30-year period.

Working first in the Israeli ministry of health, disillusionment quickly set in and, after a couple of years in the US, he established, along with a few others, a health-orientated NGO in Galilee, his native region.

Often furious about the racism of the authorities and frustrated by the rhetoric of more liberal zionists who promise much but actually deliver little, he's also quite hard on himself and questions the degree to which he too makes compromises with the authorities in his battle to establish decent health and sanitation.

Palestinian society comes in for some criticism as well, with patriarchal values, negative attitudes towards the Bedouin and the internalisation of the prejudices of the oppressor all coming under scrutiny.

Politics-wise, Kanaaneh makes some interesting points about the role of Shin Bet in vetting appointments, securing collaborators and in fuelling inter-village and clan rivalry.

The role of communists in strengthening the resistance is made clear, the party having enjoyed popularity as a result of its defence of the rights of Palestinians and because it was the only political formation in which Jews and Arabs could work side by side on an egalitarian basis.

Seminal events, such as the land day massacres and the intifada are, of course, mentioned, but this is very much a personal odyssey through the nightmare that zionism has created.

This is not a tale of gloom. There's a wonderful self-deprecating sense of humour throughout and many of the people retain their humanity and their hope for the future, despite everything that has happened. Ending the book with a story about moving an ancient olive tree into his back garden, Kanaaneh celebrates the love of Palestinians for the land and the fact that they will continue to defend it.