Galilee Society - Annual Report 2009

1. The Galilee Society
The Arab National Society for Health Research and Services (R.S.)
Annual Report
2009

2. Statement from the Management
This annual report presents a brief summary of the most important activities and achievements of the Galilee Society during
the year 2009 in the areas of health, environment, capacity building, development and practice. These programs are the fruit
of a continuous and cumulative process, based on a clear vision for internal development within Palestinian society and
improved self-reliance on our built-in capabilities when facing challenges.
The work of the Galilee Society has increased and its responsibility has grown in the areas of health, environment and
development this year, in light of the expanding gaps between Arab and Jewish citizens in all fields of life and service, in
addition to the aggravation of ethnic tension between Arab and Jewish societies. There is no doubt that the increase in the
rate and extent of poverty within Arab society, and concurrent reduction in productivity and economic growth, are disturbing
signs of an absence of effective strategies on behalf of the state and its institutions to deal with these urgent issues, especially
concerning the employment of women and academics, and the building of infrastructure for sustainable development.
The Galilee Society is keenly aware of the obstacles to development, as well as of its internal and external structural issues.
We believe in the essential need for each of the social, economic, educational, cultural, political and civil society stakeholders
of our society to assume responsibility and take matters in hand with developmental initiatives in all fields of life. From this
point of reference, we consider a vibrant partnership between sectors of society as being of utmost human and strategic
value in order to strengthen the capabilities of a self-made society living with justice, equality and dignity.
In addition to its developmental projects, we have not strayed from our humane obligation to provide aid in times of
emergency; the Galilee Society launched its program to help our people in the Gaza Strip, as well as the children and families
of patients from the beleaguered coastal region who travel to Israel to receive treatment in Israeli hospitals.
On the organizational level, the past year has witnessed many changes: in late June, Mr. Muhammad Khatib concluded his
duties as General Manager of the Galilee Society. He led the Society since mid-2007 performing a complicated task with
sincerity and professionalism. Mr. Khatib has returned to his post as head of the Health Rights Center in the Society; in his
stead, Mr. Baker Awawdy was chosen as General Manager of the Society and commenced duties beginning July, 2009.
Through intensive monitoring and evaluation of our programs, envisioning future goals, defining mechanisms and
establishing work plans, the Galilee Society has completed the process of strategic planning for the coming years. There has
also been preparation for a core project in additional areas this next year.
We extend our warm thanks to the directors of board, the members and employees of the Galilee Society, our partners
and friends, as well as to our supporting foundations, for their contribution in developing the work of the Society. As we
reflect upon the accomplishments of 2009, we reiterate our determination to move forward in the process of development,
improvement and building to serve the just causes of our society.
Respectfully,
Chairman of the Administrative Board General Manager
Abd el-Salam Masalha Baker Awawdy (since July 2009)
Mohammad Khatib (until Jun 2009)

3. The Environmental
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4. The Environmental��Justice Center
Objectives and Work Strategy of the (switch box) and Internet link through which
Environmental Justice Center public complaints and inquiries regarding
The Galilee Society considers proper environmental various environmental problems and issues
and health conditions a basic right which must be are received – the first of its kind to serve Arab
upheld for all citizens that they may live in a sound, citizens in Israel. The Environmental Green
healthy, just, and sustainable environment. Line continued to provide services to the public
In light of the lack of environmental infrastructure during the year 2009; documented cases
and the prevalence of environmental hazards (such included the spread of the West Nile Virus, the
as solid waste, quarries, polluting factories and Venice Factory, follow up on the I’billin dump
inadequate sewage grids) in proximity to Palestinian and water shortages.
Arab residential areas, the Environmental Justice  Sanitation: During 2009, the Center continued
Center was established to create solutions and to address the lack of infrastructure and
defend the environmental rights of the Arab citizens problems of inadequate sewage grids in Arab
in Israel. localities. The Center dealt with sanitation
The Center’s philosophy in defending environmental problems by documenting instances of damage
rights is based on the principles of social justice and and demanding immediate intervention by
human rights, which include defending social and officials. For example, complaints were lodged
economic rights, as well as the human right to live in by residents of Ozeir and Rummana regarding
a safe environment with dignity. free flowing sewage in al-Jarban valley, Majd al
The Environmental Justice Center aims to achieve Krum, Tayibe and elsewhere.
equal environmental conditions for Palestinian  Following Up on Three Maternal and Child
citizens of Israel by adopting complementary Welfare Centers: In collaboration with
strategies: enhancing public awareness concerning Physicians for Human Rights, the Galilee Society
environmental justice; improving environmental documented the closing of three Maternal and
education and awareness, legal advocacy; and Child Welfare centers in unrecognized villages
research, reports and surveys addressing emerging in the Naqab. Documentation included the
priorities and the changing environmental reality. gathering of information and statements from
residents of the three villages, and collaboration
The Center’s Activities in 2009 with other associations in addressing the High
Legal Advocacy Court of Justice.
 The Environmental Green Line is a center

5. Environmental Education and Awareness Justice Center held a study day entitled
 The Environmental Justice Center continued “Electromagnetic Radiation and its Impact on
to conduct education and awareness activities Health,” which centered on the subject of cell-
in various environmental fields targeting phone antennas, their dispersion and impact.
different segments of society by holding Several representatives from the Ministry of
lectures in schools and other educational the Environment, the Environmental Units, the
and cultural frameworks concerning health Federation of Environmental Quality in Cities,
and environmental issues such as cell-phone as well as other environmental organizations,
antennas and air pollution. participated in the study day. This event was
 Scholarships: The Environmental Justice Center initiated by the Center in the wake of increasing
distributed 17 scholarships of NIS 2,000 to official, public and professional interest
Arab students studying environment-related in the risk of exposure to electromagnetic
subjects at universities and institutions of radiation, increasing use of cell phones and
higher education. These scholarships were construction of various types of transmission
issued as part of an educational and cultural stations, and the posited correlation between
project in the Arab schools with the aim of electromagnetic radiation and increasing
raising environmental awareness within Arab incidences of cancer and other diseases.
society. As part of this program, students
receiving a scholarship commit to voluntarily Reports and Surveys
work in Arab institutions active in fields related • Sanitation Report in Arab Villages 2009: A report
to their area of study. was conducted about sanitation problems in
 A Supplementary Course on the Subject of Arab villages in 2009. The report, prepared
Environmental Reinforcement and Education by attorney Ala Haidar and researcher Nedal
for School Teachers: The Environmental Masalha, presented critical information, data
Justice Center initiated action to organize and updates on sanitation problems in Arab
a supplementary course on the subject of villages, compounded by inadequate waste
environmental reinforcement and education management and underdeveloped internal
for school teachers, with the aims of water and sanitation grids. The report includes
deepening educators’ knowledge in the field recommendations for decision makers and
of environment and empowering them to other stakeholders such as the Water Authority,
become active through the framework of water and sanitation companies, and the heads
their institutions. The course also aims to of local authorities, stresses the need to raise
embed environmental principles and raise public awareness concerning associated risks,
environmental and health awareness in light of and advocates increased budget allocations to
the changing local environment. develop the grids.
 A Study Day on Electromagnetic Radiation • The Quarries Report: A new report was written
and its Impact on Health: The Environmental regarding stone quarries, which follows the

6. report of 2006. It addressed the planning solid waste.
and health aspects of the quarries issue, and • Through this project, the Galilee Society
concluded with significant data, such as: seeks to enhance the capabilities of local
 At the state level, 54% of people living in authorities to decrease the negative impacts
proximity to quarries are Arab citizens, of solid waste by developing their working
though the percentage of Arabs in Israel methods and mainstreaming the general vision
does not exceed 20%. and objectives of the Galilee Society toward
 In the northern district, 74% of people achieving a safe and healthy environment.
living next to quarries are Arab citizens, Among these objectives are decreasing waste
(though only 52% of the northern district amounts; reuse and recycling; supervising
citizens are Arabs). improved handling of waste; and raising public
 It is no surprise or coincidence that there is awareness.
not a single representative of Arab citizens • The determined period of implementation for
on all committees concerning the issue this project is two years, to be concluded by the
of planning, forming and implementing end of December 2011.
policies regarding the quarries.
 Arab residents face nearly double the
environmental and health risks associated
with quarries, which explicitly threaten
the lives of these citizens.
 At the end of the report, recommendations
and advice were addressed to decision
makers and stakeholders, including
the ministries dealing with the issue of
quarries.
o Reinforcing the Capabilities of the Local
Authorities towards Environmental
Development “Green Cities” – CIUDAD:
At the end of 2009, a major project entitled
“Reinforcing the Capabilities of the Local
Authorities towards Environmental
Development – Green Cities” was
approved. This project aims to develop
the capabilities of local and regional
authorities in six Arab cities in Israel and
Palestine concerning issues dealing with

7. The Health Rights Center

8. The Health Rights Center
Vision and Objectives: The Center’s Activities in 2009:
The Health Rights Center of the Galilee Society In 2009, the Health Rights Center continued its
is a professional and pioneering regional activities within specific projects, in addition to
initiative that takes a rights-based general activities categorized under updated health
approach to health, holistically priorities.
advocating the physiological, Society Without AIDS Program
psychological and social The center continued this program for the fifth year
elements of health as a and incorporated new work strategies. As part of
fundamental human the health education activities, the following was
right. achieved:
The Health Rights • Lectures and workshops were held in eight
Center aims to schools;
improve health • A new brochure was issued containing
conditions for the information and instructions on means of
Palestinian minority disease prevention addressed to all segments
in Israel and achieve of society – especially youth and adolescents;
equality in health • The Center’s staff participated in media-
service provision by: oriented awareness-raising activities including
• Improving health broadcast interviews and publishing articles;
awareness among Arab citizens, • Strategies were developed in order to reach a
individually and collectively; wider group of beneficiaries. The Center began
• Enhancing their knowledge and to work with eight associations and institutions
awareness regarding health rights and methods within Israel, Jerusalem and the West Bank,
for actualizing them; in order to activate these frameworks in the
• Defending the health rights of Arab citizens; prevention of AIDS;
• Providing sound data about the health of Arab • A survey was conducted regarding the needs of
citizens as a scientific basis for improving health these institutions and associations in terms of
conditions. the level of common knowledge, positions and
beliefs, in addition to surveying organizational

9. needs to develop an expanded joint work General Activities
program. Swine Flu:
• A scientific symposium was hosted on the
Breast Cancer Program subject of swine flu by Dr. William Nseir (Head
The first half of 2009 witnessed the last stage of the of the Department of Internal Medicine in the
Breast Cancer Program, which aimed to increase Holy Family Hospital). A group of teachers
the knowledge of Arab women and their families and educators from the city of Shefa-A’mr
concerning Breast Cancer, including screening for participated in this symposium, along with
early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. In this other professionals and staff of the
framework, the following took place: Galilee Society;
• A group of lectures were held, addressed to • In collaboration with the
groups of adult women and female high school Regional Union of Arab
students about the disease, its diagnosis and Parents, a leaflet
treatment; was issued to the
• In collaboration with the Cancer Society, student public on
arrangements were made to produce an the subject of
instructional film about mammography swine flu.
screening. The film was prepared specifically
for Arab women, meeting the cultural and West Nile Virus:
social criteria of Arab society. Following the
confirmation of West
Health Rights and Patients’ Rights Program Nile Virus infection in
The Center continued its work on raising awareness Nazareth, the Center’s
with respect to health rights and how to actualize manager participated
them. In this framework, the Center’s staff did the in a televised interview
following: about the disease and how it
• Facilitated lectures concerning the Health can be prevented. A complaint was
Insurance Law and its conclusions, in addition also submitted against local authorities for their
to supplementary and private insurance; failure to address the accumulation of wastewater
• Trained female volunteers in education about within their jurisdictions, a key contributor to the
legal rights as part of a training course held proliferation of the disease.
in collaboration with the Patients’ Rights
Association in Israel.

10. Chronic Diseases (Diabetes, Heart and Cardiovascular
Diseases, and others):
Preparations were completed for a policy document
presenting current gaps between segments of society
regarding specific chronic diseases. This document
includes work strategies and bases for intervention
programs advocated by the Galilee Society and its
partners for implementation by the government, the
Ministry of Health and health foundations. This project
is a collaboration of the Galilee Society, Adva Center, the
Association of Civil Rights in Israel, Physicians for Human
Rights and the Tene Briut Association.
Young Physicians Program:
In collaboration with the Young Physicians Organization,
the Galilee Society participated in the Young Physicians
program, an initiative through which junior high school
students of Majd al Krum were trained in medical and
health subjects. More than 40 students participated in the
first two courses, which featured workshops concerning
preliminary medical tests such as blood pressure, pulse,
breathing, and physiological evaluation. The program
also included sessions on healthy growth, balanced
nutrition, outdoors activities and sport. Students applied
what they learned by conducting a “real” surgery utilizing
pigs’ hearts. The courses ended with a comprehensive
educational tour of the Holy Family Hospital in Nazareth.
Escorted by the professional staff, students and their
parents visited the various units and gleaned insight
into the daily operations of the Emergency Room,
Laboratories, Radiology Department, Cardiovascular
Unit, Maternity and Delivery, and the Intensive Care Unit
for Preterm Infants. The Galilee Society plans to carry
on with this program with additional junior high school
groups in 2010.

11. www.rikaz.org
Rikaz Databank Center
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12. Rikaz Databank Center
Vision and Objectives the Regional Committee of the Heads of Local
Rikaz has built a comprehensive database of Authorities, in addition to representatives of several
strategic importance with an aim to provide a non-governmental organizations. The conference
critical lens through which the experiences was widely covered by local and international
of Palestinian society can be observed, media.
our needs understood and potential Among the most notable results of the survey were
envisioned. By analyzing the realities of the following:
our community and presenting actionable 1. The Palestinian community is young with an
data to decision makers, planners and average age of just 19 years;
stakeholders in both the public and private 2. 58.3% of Palestinian households in Israel will
sectors, Rikaz aspires to be a sustainable be in need of at least one additional housing
and central catalyst of economic and social unit within the next ten years;
progress for the Palestinian community in Israel. 3. Among the Arab population, the participation
rate in the workforce is 43% – compared to
Rikaz Projects in 2009 58.5% amongst Jews. Only 18.9% of Arab
Conference: “Palestinians in Israel – Reality in women (15 years and above) participate in
Numbers” the workforce – compared to 56% among
Rikaz Databank hosted a conference Jewish women;
with the participation of the Regional 4. About 32.5% of Arab households depend
Committee of the Heads of Local on state welfare allocations (children’s
Authorities entitled, “Palestinians allowances, old age, pension, unemployment,
in Israel – Reality in Numbers,” mental disability, and income supplement) as
in which the results of the a primary source of income;
second Socio-economic Survey 5. The rate of holders of a B.A. degree is about
were presented. The conference 7.5% (8.6% among males, and about 6.3%
was attended by a large group among females);
concerned with the reality of the 6. The average monthly gross income for
Palestinian minority in Israel, among the Palestinian household in Israel is NIS
whom were representatives of various 6878, whereas the average amongst Jewish
Arab political parties, the High Follow- households reached NIS 13245 in 2006. In
Up Committee of Arab Citizens of Israel and 2006, the monthly average of expenses for

13. the Palestinian household in Israel reached were formed, each of which is responsible for
NIS 7450, whereas the monthly average of directing staff according to various fields of
expense for the Jewish household reached specialization.
about NIS 11494; 2. A comprehensive budget analysis
7. 68% of elderly Palestinians – both male and was conducted, focusing on the
female – suffer from chronic diseases. axis of gender and nationality –
and the impact of these factors
Project: Gender- and Minority- Mainstreaming on Palestinian women in Israel –
of the Israeli National Budget in parallel with a comparison of
Following revelations in the Rikaz surveys of vast indicators from the Socio-economic
differences in economic and social indicators Survey conducted in 2007. The study
relating to women, Rikaz initiated a qualitative leap concluded that employment, education
forward in its aim to study and evaluate proposed and health are the most significant factors
governmental economic and social policies through affecting levels of poverty. By cross examining
an analytical prism of gender. The project seeks interrelated data, the researchers concluded
to elucidate governmental social and economic that strategic increases in budget allocations
policies by analyzing ambiguous figures within the could be key to catalyzing development for
general governmental budget – thereby clarifying the Palestinian minority in Israel and help this
them – in order to widen the range of civil society community overcome the barrier of poverty.
participation in the allocation of public resources. Among the findings:
Ultimately, this three-year intervention is designed • When an Arab woman is employed, the
to build a budget that meets the requirements of chance of the household to overcome
the various minority and gender groups in Israel the cycle of poverty increases by 20%;
in an attempt to combat rampant poverty in the • Poor health conditions impede Arab
Palestinian community in Israel. male participation in the labor market
The Project is managed by Rikaz in collaboration by 31%, and Arab female
with Mada al-Carmel – the Arab Center for Applied participation by 14% - Participation of different Ethnic groups, Age and
Social Research, and I’lam – The Media Center for compared to 12% for Gender in the labor market in Israel 2008
Arab Palestinians in Israel. Jewish men and 10% for
Jewish women;
Work Strategies: • Academic study by
1. A steering committee was formed to guide the head of the family
project development and implementation. improves the chance
This committee consists of Members of the for Arab households to
Knesset, employees of the public sector, and overcome the cycle of
members of various civil society organizations. poverty by 14%.
Moreover, other specialized sub-committees 1. A model was built to

14. analyze the budget through a prism of local and international media. At the end of
gender and nationality, which contributes the conference, there was an announcement
to understanding these dimensions of about the initiation of a project to form a
the governmental budget. There is great specialized economic sub-committee to
significance in ensuring contributions of the guide the High Follow-Up Committee of
budget to fighting poverty among the Arab Arab Citizens of Israel on economic issues
minority, and among women in particular. concerning the Arab sector.
2. Implementers conferred with decision makers 5. Dr. Mahmoud Khatib, the lead analyst
and legislators, including Arab Members researching the budget in the field of health,
of Knesset, some of whom participated was invited to join the forum of economic
in the project’s steering committee. Such researchers in the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute,
communication facilitates networking with which is responsible for exploring issues
decision makers, and facilitates understanding of “health differences within and amongst
of budgetary shortcomings. the various racial groups and between the
3. It is clear that influencing two sexes in Israel.” This forum will provide
policy makers requires strategic theoretical and practical mechanisms to deal
media support to crystallize with the issue of health and its impact on
public opinion in such cases. In ethnic and gender groups – an added value of
collaboration with I’lam, work the project.
has begun to train 15 Palestinian
(male and female) journalists to A Study Day about Training and Employing
understand the economic situation, Arab Women
analyze the budget from national In collaboration with al-Zahra Association for
and gender perspectives and effectively the Advancement of the Status of Women, Rikaz
communicate its various dimensions to the organized a study day in the city of Sakhnin entitled,
Palestinian Arab community. “The Possibilities of Training and Employing
4. A press conference entitled “Poverty in the Arab Women in the Arab Community.” The
Arab Community in Light of Israeli Attempts to study day took place in the building of the Towns
Join the OECD” was held. The press conference Association of Environmental Quality in Sakhnin,
dealt with data derived from the 2007 Rikaz with wide participation from representatives of
Socio-economic Survey. It also dealt with the active women’s associations, as well as heads of
prospect of Israel joining the Organization for local authorities in Sakhnin, Arraba, Deir Hanna,
Economic Co-operation and Development and Kaukab Abu al-Heija. During this day,
(OECD). The conference was attended by sobering information was presented about limited
Members of Knesset, representatives of civil employment and poor integration into the labor
society organizations, and journalists from market of Arab women in comparison with their
Jewish counterparts.

15. The Naqab Department

16. The Naqab Department
Vision and Objectives Participants discussed the importance of the
The Naqab Department of the Galilee Society struggle for health rights, including the rights
works to improve the general health conditions of patients, regardless of affiliation or socio-
of the Arab citizens in the Naqab region (Negev), economic status. In addition, participants spoke
and empower individuals to affect their own of the importance of public awareness of the law,
development by leveraging partnerships with local its problems and details, as well as the importance
Arab organizations in this field. of ensuring its implementation by the Ministry
of Health. A discussion circle was held, in which
Activities in 2009: a group of professionals analyzed the problems
The Mobile Clinic Program: of implementing the law in the Naqab region,
The Mobile Clinic of the Galilee Society continued as well as the role of professionals in providing
to provide services for the remote villages of the needed information related to health rights and the
Naqab, especially the unrecognized villages. Since development of public knowledge in this regard.
1992, the mobile clinic has provided basic health
and prevention services for thousands of Arab Follow Up on the Closure of Three Maternal
residents in the Naqab – services governmental and Child Care Centers:
institutions have neglected to provide. In collaboration with Physicians for Human
Rights, the Naqab Department documented
Throughout 2009, the mobile clinic worked the closure of three Maternal and Child Care
three days a week. centers in the unrecognized villages of the Naqab.
Study Day: Patients’ Rights Law: Documentation included statements from the
The Health Rights Center in the Galilee Society, in residents of the three villages and will be utilized in
collaboration with the Patients’ Rights Association the preparation of an appeal to the Supreme Court
in Israel, facilitated a study day about the Patients’ of Justice against the closures, which violate a court
Rights law and its implementation in therapeutic ruling issued in 1999.
and public health frameworks. The study day was
held in the Beer Sheva Private College and was
attended by academic physicians, representatives
from the Ministry of Health, the Soroka Medical
Center, and Social Services.

17. The Institute of
Applied Research�
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18. The Institute of Applied Research�
Background and Objectives in the fields of Biotechnology, Health, Environmental
The Institute of Applied Research, a scientific- biotechnology & Engineering, Agriculture, Medicinal
strategic project of the Galilee Society, was founded Herbs, Renewable Energy, Human Genetic
in July 1995 and is the first such center in the Disorders, Bioinformatics, and Food preservation.
Palestinian Arab community. It is acknowledged Since its inception, the Institute has maintained high
by the ministry of science and technology and is levels of achievement and excellence.
academically affiliated with the University
of Haifa. The institute aspires to During 2009 the institute moved to its new facilities
become a mega research and and now has over 600 square meters of laboratories
development institute with a and offices, and is adequately equipped to carry out
leading scientific team, and implement a variety of experimental and analytical
aims at providing Arab techniques.
students with access to
scientific educational The institute`s activities in 2009
experiences; In the course of 2009, parallel to its 8 on-going
developing existing research projects in the various fields, the Institute’s
fields of research researchers submitted 16 new research proposals
through receipt of to both local and international research funds
regionally oriented and were awarded three grants by the Ministry of
grant opportunities Science and Technology (MOST). The Institute also
and; encouraging Arab won its second prestigious Levi Eshkol award this
investment in industry, year and had over 16 publications in peer-reviewed
technology and science journals and books and 13 presentations in local
through leveraging of its scientific and international conferences and/or workshops. 4
innovation and expertise of its M.Sc students are currently conducting their thesis
scientists. Thus, it focuses on the development research under the supervision of the Institute’s
and enhancement of economic opportunities researchers in collaboration with researchers from
for the Arab community. The Institute`s research the Technion and the University of Haifa. During
highly considers the Arab community needs and is 2009 13 graduate students from various collages
undertaken in cooperation with local, regional and carries out their graduation projects in the Institute’s
international research organizations and universities labs under the supervision of its researchers.

19. individuals from these families, by examining
Research projects approved for funding during the MO-1 gene sequence alterations including
2009 mutations and SNPs and to characterize the
1. Title of Project: Utilization of olive oil metabolic and biochemical significance of the
waste water ingredients for a biocontrol MO-1 gene’s new alterations at the cell level.
preservation of food & The Biological
control of storage diseases using bioactive
safe ingredients from Olive mill wastewater. On-going Research
Funded for three year starting August 2009, Medicinal plants, medical and food
the ultimate goal of the project is to utilize the microbiology and agriculture
OMW produced in the Mediterranean region
during olive oil extraction for the production 1. Title of Project: Development of a novel
of economical and environmentally safe Anti Acne product, using Arab
antifungal & antibacterial products for food traditional medicinal plant.
preservation. Funded by MOST for the
duration of three years
2. Title of Project: Recombinant Yeasts for (1/12/2006-30/11/09)
Effective Ethanol Production from Olive in collaboration with
Mill Solid Wastes. In the field of renewable the Hebrew University,
energy. Funded for a year starting October this research aims at
2009 through a “Levi Eshkol” grant, the goal of substantiating novel
this research is to develop a molecular method anti-acne preparations
for obtaining recombinant yeast, which and their combinations
ferments lignocellulose raw materials from in topical application.
Olive Mill Solid Wastes to ethanol.
2. Title of Project:
3. Title of the project: MO-1, Novel Obesity Examination of Recovery
Gene: Genotype and Phenotype and Use of Polyphenoles
Characterization of Obese and Lean Arab from Olive Wastes for Innovative
Groups from the Galilee. In collaboration Products. Funded by the German
with Bni-zyon medical center. In the field of Federal Ministry of Education and the Research
human genetic disorders and bioinformatics. MOST (BMBF-MOST) cofund for the duration
Funded for the duration of approximately of three years (1/7/2007 – 30/6/2010) and
three years starting September 2009, this in collaboration with the Technical University
project aims at building a comprehensive of Munich, this project utilizes the olive mill
clinical and biochemical database for families wastes (OMW) produced in the Mediterranean
with obesity and leanness from Sakhnin region during olive oil extraction for the
city, to further analyze the MO-1 gene in the production of economical and environmentally

20. safe antioxidants and antimicrobial products sustainable reuse. An infrastructure research
with innovative uses. funded by MOST for approximately three
years time (1/10/2007 - 30/9/2010) in
3. Title of Project: Medicinal plants- a potential
collaboration with 8 Israeli research institutes
source for antimicrobial and antipathogenic
and universities, this project focuses on the
compounds. Funded by MOST for the duration
removal from sewage influent --via advanced
of three years (1/7/2008 -31/6/2011), the
membrane technologies-- of selected
main objective of this study is to investigate the
anthropogenic persistent organic pollutants
antimicrobial and antipathogenic properties of
(POPs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs),
medicinal plants, as well as their antimicrobial
nonionic surfactants, alkylphenol etoxylates
potential against several important
(APEOs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
pathogenic bacteria of medical
(PAHs), selected anthropogenic hormones,
importance.
pharmaceuticals and pathogens. In this
4. Title of Project: context, the general objective of this research
Pistacia lentiscus as is to facilitate the sustainable, health-safe reuse
Natural Drug against of treated sewage effluents.
Gastro-Intestinal
2. Title of Project: Endocrine disrupting
Worms in goats.
activity of steroid hormones and their
Funded by MOST for
biodegradation in treated domestic and
the duration of three
swine wastewaters. Funded by MOST for
years (1/12/2007
three years (1/11/2007 -30/11/2010) in
– 30/11/2010), in
collaboration with Uranim College and the
collaboration with the
University of Haifa, the main objectives of this
Volcanic Center, this
research are to determine the fate of synthetic
research aims to extract
steroid growth promoters in domestic and
multiple phenol compounds
agriculture effluents in sewage treatment
from the plant Pistacia lentiscus
plants in Israel, and to identify the microbial
and study their curative effects
population present in different sources of
against intestinal worms in goats.
sludge and/or surface soil contaminated
Environmental microbiology, environmental with swine wastes responsible for their
engineering and environmental biotechnology biodegradation process.
1. Title of Project: Persistent organic matter, 3. Title of Project: Decentralized Wastewater
endocrine disrupting chemicals and Treatment in Arid Regions: Up flow
pathogens in treated wastewater and Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) and
soils: Identification, monitoring, transport, Intermittent Sand Filter (ISF). Funded by
effects, treatment, and removal for BMBF for three years (1/4/2007-30/3/2010)

21. in collaboration with 6 foreign research in collaboration with Al-Qasemi Academic
institutes and universities, the main goal of College, the University of Haifa, and the
this research is to develop, test and optimize Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, the main goal of
the combination of UASB with Intermittent the project is to develop an algorithm which
Sand Filter as a low cost and simple to operate integrates network information with recursive
wastewater treatment. The developed system feature elimination based on support vector
will be tested for a high quality of effluent for machines (SVM) for discovery of biological
safe reuse. biomarker.
4. Title of Project:� Low-Cost High Surface Area 2. Title of Project: MicroRNA Gene Target
Carbonaceous Materials (HSACM) for Predictions. A “Levi Eshkol”
Environmental Application: Contaminated supported research for the
sites remediation. Funded by MOST for three duration of 2 years (October
years (1/7/2008-30/6/ 2011), the overall goal 2008- September 2010).
of this project is to develop a new treatment The main goal of this
technology that incorporates low cost charred research is to develop
Jift as a high-surface-area carbonaceous a computational
material (HSACM) into contaminated soil as an algorithm in order
immobilizing agent for toxic chemicals. to predict the target
for the miRNA.
Renewable Energy
Title of Project: Production of Bioethanol from Seminars and Guest
Agricultural Wastes. Funded by MOST for the Lecture
duration of three years (1/12/2007 – 30/11/2010),  The Institute holds
in collaboration with the Technion this project, the regular seminar
ultimate goal of the current project is to utilize lectures as an integral
the olive mill solid wastes (OMSW) produced part of its scientific activity.
in the Mediterranean region during the olive oil During 2009 the Institute
extraction for the production of economical and hosted the following seminars:
environmentally safe bioethanol.
 January 22nd – Mrs. Nour Abu Ahmad from
the Clinical dietitian at Nazareth Hospital
Bioinformatics presented a lecture entitled, “L- carnitine
1. Title of Project: Classification and biomarker supplementation in chronic renal failure. Does
identification using gene network modules the evidence justify its use?”
and support vector machines. Funded  March 12th – Dr. Zaid Afawi of Soroka Medical
by MOST for three years (9/2008-6/2010) Center in Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion University

22. Medical School lectured on “Clinical and constructed wetland for enteric pathogens
Genetic Aspects of Progressive Mycoclonic and protozoan parasites from treated
Familial Epilepsy”, discussing the medical and wastewater used in irrigation. In another cost
genetic causes of epilepsy. meeting held on October 2009 at Ascona,
Switzerland he presented Biomethylation and
 April 2nd – Mr. Zohar Yakhini of the Department Biotransformation of Selenium by Rhizosphere
of Computer Science at the Technion gave Microorganisms.
a lecture entitled, “Integrating Genomes
Using Microarray Principles and Flexible Conferences
Applications”.
 Within the Integrated vision of urban and agro-
 April 12th – Sirg industrial wastewater treatment, monitoring
Jan Landu of the Volcani and reclamation conference held in Terni, Italy,
Center led a seminar on on 2nd -3rd of July 2009, Dr. Isam Sabbah
Self-Medication in Free- presented a paper entitled, “Agro-industrial
Range Herbivores. Dr. Wastewater = Good” Biogas Potential, Why?,
Landu discussed the and on Synergetic effect of photocatalytic
potential benefits from degradation and adsorption processes on the
studying these animals removal of phenolic compounds from agro-
further in light of their industrial effluent.
unique ability to self-  Dr. Sabah presented the results of his team in
medicate from the the 6th Israeli Water Association conference
plants they consume. held on 25th of March, 2009, at Kfar Hamkbia
talking about the development of biomass
 April 30th – Dr. Adel adaptation for the treatment of strong
Shalata from the Simon wastewater (Agro-industrial)-Olive Mill Waste
Winter Institute for Human (OMW) as a model. In the same conference,
Genetics, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Nidal Massalha, an environmental engineer
gave a lecture on ”Genetic Diseases in the working with Dr. Sabah, talked about combined
Arab Community, Disease Gene Mapping and Chemically Enhanced Primary Treatment CEPT
Cloning”. with Intermittent Bio-Filter for WWT in Rural
Areas.
International meetings  In the Xenowac-2009 conference held on
10-13th of March, 2009 at Pathos, Cyprus,
 During the cost action meeting held on April Dr. Sabbah, presented a lecture on Modeling
2009 at Szeged, Hungary, Dr. Hassan Azaizeh the Effect of Aging on Naphthalene and
gave a presentation on removal capacity of Phenanthrene Desorption Rates from

23. Environmental Solids, as well as a poster on monitoring, transport, effects, treatment, and
Synergetic effect of photocatalytic degradation removal for sustainable reuse. The workshop
and adsorption processes on the removal of included 4 different sessions during which
phenolic compounds from agro-industrial researchers from the nine related research
effluent. groups presented their latest results. Dr.
 Within the 10th Bar-Ilan Symposium on the Hassan Azaizeh, who was the chair of one of
Foundations of Artificial Intelligence (BISFAI, the sessions, gave a lecture on “The potential of
2009) Dr. Malik Yousef gave presentations on constructed wetlands in the removal of enteric
“One-Class or Two-Class Machine Learning for pathogens and protozoan parasites”. In the
MicroRNA Target Prediction” and “Recursive same event Dr. Jeries Jadoun gave a
gene Networks Elimination (RNE) For Feature lecture on “Assessment of the
Selection and Classification from Gene microbial removal efficiency
Expression data”. of different wastewater
 Dr. Waleed Khalifa working with Dr. Malik treatment technologies
Yousef presented an abstract on “MicroRNA via standard
Target Predictions Based Exclusively on Positive and advanced
Examples” at the Israeli Bioinformatics annual enumeration
Symposium (2009). methods”.
 During the 4th International Symposium on
Health Informatics and Bioinformatics, held in  Dr. Isam Sabbah
Turkey on 2009, Dr. Malik Yousef, talked about and Engineer
One-Class Machine Learning for MicroRNA Katie Baransi
Target Detection. attended the third
workshop within
Workshops the framework of the
Dead-Sea Project funded
 During a workshop that was held in the by the BMBF foundation.
Volcanic Institute in December 2009, Dr. The two presented the latest
Hassan Azaizeh presented a paper entitled, outcomes of an ongoing research
“Pistacia lentiscus crude extracts inhibit entitled, “Decentralized wastewater treatment
molting of gastrointestinal worms in goats”. in arid regions: Up flow anaerobic sludge
 On October 7th a workshop was held at the blanket (UASB) and intermittent sand filter
Technion to discuss the results of the United (ISF)”. Researcher form Germany, the Technion,
National Infrastructure Research Project Jordan and Palestine also attended this
(UNRIP): Persistent organic matter, endocrine meeting that was sponsored by the Helmholtz
disrupting chemicals and pathogens in treated Association.
wastewater and soils and their identification, 

24. Educational activities and were accompanied by a guided tour in the
 As part of the first national scientific festival labs during which the visitors witnessed some
held on October 5th, the Institute invited the of the Institute’s research methods.
public and high schools students to participate
in a seminar entitled, “Agricultural waste as Publications in peer-reviewed journals/Books
a source for antimicrobial compounds and
renewable energy.” 1. Bal Ram Singh, Satish K. Gupta, Hassan
Azaizeh, Stefan Shilev, Damien Sudre, Won
 In cooperation with MOST, the Shefa-Amr Yong Song, Enrico Martinoia, and Michel
municipality’s Department of Education Mench. 2009. Safety of food crops on land
and principles from high schools contaminated with trace elements. Journal
in the city, the Institute held a of the Science of Food and Agriculture
seminar in the Galilee Society (submitted).
and invited the public to 2. Hassan Azaizeh, Paula Castro, Petra Kidd.
discuss the potential 2009. Microbial biodegradation of organic
reuse of polluting xenobiotic pollutants. Chapter in: Organic
agriculture waste as Xenobiotics and Plants: from Mode of Action
an efficient, available to Ecophysiology. Authors Peter Schroeder,
and sustainable and Christopher D. Collins. (Submitted).
source for renewable
energy, as well as 3. Siqing Liu, Yebo Li, Hassan Azaizeh, Fengjie
for the production Cui, Ahmad Tafesh and Kenneth M. Bischoff1
of antimicrobial 2009. Production of value-added products
compounds. The seminar by lactic acid bacteria. (Submitted).
was attended by over 50 4. Hassan Azaizeh, Paula Castro, Petra Kidd.
students who emphasize The potential for growing food crops in soil
in their studies topics such as contaminated with organic pollutants: Root
biology, chemistry and environment, exudates and Rhizosphere effect on the
and consisted of four lectures in the biotransformation and biodegradation of
following topics: Agricultural waste as a organic pollutants. (Under review).
source for biogas, solid olive mill waste as a
potential source for bioethanol, utilization 5. Hassan Azaizeh. 2009. Effects of nutrients on
of enzymes for generating biodiesel, olive physiological and biochemical of secondary
mill wastewater as a source for antimicrobial metabolites of medicinal herbs. Chapter in a
and antioxidant compounds. The lectures book. (Under review).
were given by the Institute’s researchers and 6. Said O, Saad B, Fulder S, Amin R, Kassis E , and
research assistants, as well as by M.Sc students Khalil K. Hypolipidemic activity of extracts

25. from Eriobotrya japonica and Olea europaea, and their Extracts: Cancer Treatment and
traditionally used in the Greco-Arab medicine Prevention, Ed. Watson and Preedy, Taylo
in maintaining healthy fat levels in the blood. &Francis Group (In print).
The Open Complementary Medicine Journal, 12. Khatib A., Aqra F., Yagi N., Basheer S.,
2009, 1, 00-00 1. Sabbah I., Al-Hayek B., and Musa M., (2009);
7. Said O, Fulder S, Khalil K, Kassis E, and Saad Environmental pollution resulting from olive
B, (2009) Efficacy and safety assessments of oil production in Palestine, South. Braz. J.
Ferula assa-foetida L., traditionally used in Chem., Vol. 17, 17
Greco-Arab herbal medicine for enhancing 13. Krasnits E., Friedler E., Sabbah
male fertility, libido and erectile function. I., Beliavski M., Tarre S.,
The Open Complementary Medicine Journal, and Green M, (2009);
2009, 1, 00-00 1. Spatial distribution of
8. Said O, Khalil K, Fulder S, Marie Y, Kassis microbial population
E, and Saad B, (2009) A double blinded- in a well established
randomized clinical study with “Weighlevel”, constructed
a combination of four medicinal plants used in wetland treating
traditional Greco-Arab and Islamic medicine municipal
The Open Complementary Medicine Journal, wastewater, J.
(In print). Ecological Eng.,
35, 1085-1089.
9. Bashar Saad, Rola JadAllah, Harbi Daraghmeh,
and Omar Said (2009) Medicines and 14. Khatib A., Aqra
Method of Therapy in the Arab and Islamic F., Yagi N., Subuh
Medicine International Journal, Bioscience Y., Hayeek B.,
Biotechnology Research Communications, Musa M., Basheer S.,
(In print). and Sabbah I., (2009).
Reducing the environmental
10. Saad B and Said O., (2009) Chapter 5:
impact of olive mill wastewater,
Tradition and Prospective of Greco-Arab and
Amer. J. Environ. Sci., 5, 1, 1-6.
Islamic Herbal Medicine in Herbal Remedies:
Toxicity and Effects on Clinical Laboratory 15. Massalha N., Shaviv A. and Sabbah I.;
Test Results” edited by Amitava Dasgupta and Modeling the Effect of Immobilization of
Catherine Hammett-Stabler. Wiley-Blackwell Bacteria on the Rate of Biodegradation of
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. phenol under inhibitory conditions, (under
review).
11. Said O, Zaid H., and Saad B., (2009) Greco-
Arab and Islamic herbal medicine and cancer 16. Borisover M., Sas A., Sabbah I., and Lavie G.,
treatment/prevention. In: Foods, Herbs, (2009). Characterization of effluent DOM

26. using fluorescence spectroscopy. Water and Cells Can Distinguish Patients with Non-
Irrigation: 506:26-32. (Hebrew). Small-Cell Lung Cancer from Patients with
Non-Malignant Lung Disease. Cancer
17. Malik Yousef, Naim Najami and Walid
Research, 2009.
Khaliefa ,A Comparison Study Between
One-Class and Two-Class Machine Learning 20. Malik Yousef, Mohamed Ketany, Larry
for MicroRNA Target Detection ,Journal of Manevitz , Louise C Showe, Michael K. Showe,
Biomedical Science and Engineering (2009). Classification and biomarker identification
using gene network modules and support
18. Malavika S. Giri, Michael
vector machines. BMC Bioinformatics 2009,
Nebozyhn, Andrea Raymond ,
10:337.
Bethsebah Gekonge, Aidan
Hancock, Shenoa Creer, 21. Malik Yousef, Louise C Showe and Michael K
Calen Nicols, Malik Yousef, Showe, A study of microRNAs in silico and in
Andrea S. Foulkes, Karam vivo: Bioinformatics approaches to microRNA
Mounzer, Jane Shull, Discovery and Target Identification, FEBS J.
Guido Silvestri, Jay 2009 Apr; 276(8):2150-6.
Kostman, Ronald 22. Malik Yousef and Waleed Khalifa, MiRNAs: a
G. Collman, Louise review of bioinformatics approaches. Biotech
Showe and Luis J. International, July 2009.
Montaner ,Circulating
Monocytes in HIV-
1-Infected Viremic
Subjects Exhibit an
Antiapoptosis Gene
Signature and Virus- and
Host-Mediated Apoptosis
Resistance. The Journal of
Immunology, 2009, 182, 4459 -4470.
19. Michael Showe, Anil Vachani, Andrew
Kossenkov, Malik Yousef, Calen Nichols,
Elena Nikonova, Celia Chang, John
Kucharczuk, Bao Tran, Elliot Wakeam, Ting-
An Yie, David Speicher, William Rom, Steven
Albelda, Louise Showe, Gene Expression
Profiles in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear

27. ‫ ﻣﺮﻛﺰ�ﺍﳌ�ﺴﻢ‬Al-Maissam Medicinal�
Plant Center for Research�
‫ﻟﻠﻨﺒﺎﺗﺎﺕ�ﺍﻟﻄﺒﻴﺔ‬ and Education

28. Al-Maissam Medicinal Plant Center
for Research and Education
Objectives and Work Strategy High School Matriculation Assistance
Al-Maissam focuses on reviving the popular Al-Maissam provided instructional services to
Palestinian folk culture, maintaining a variety of high school students to help them finish their final
medicinal plants, educating the local public on papers at the level of 4-5 units in the subjects of
the traditional medicinal utility of these plants, environment, biology and chemistry. Researchers
and guiding student research in the fields of of Al-Maissam and the Applied Research Institute
environment, biology, chemistry and herbs. contributed to the instruction of over 730 students
in 2009.
Activities in 2009:
The Daily Visit Program Educational Lectures for the Public
This year, about 4,000 students of various Al-Maissam continued to hold public lectures in
educational levels visited the center. Students get a number of villages and cities throughout the
to know Al-Maissam, starting with the greenhouse country; in 2009, more than 30 lectures were held
and its medicinal plants. They progress to the in different schools.
educational bee and compost stations, observe fish
and algae, conduct research activities, manufacture Training Courses for Teachers
natural cosmetics and plant herbs. Al-Maissam Center facilitated a series of
workshops and supplementary courses for
The Young Researcher Program teachers of environmental subjects in high schools
The Young Researcher program consists of ten through which teachers learned about herbs and
meetings, through which students come to know their medicinal utility, as well as Al-Maissam’s role
various types of scientific research. Each group in encouraging students to engage in scientific
of students then carries out its own research research.
project under the supervision and instruction of
Al-Maissam’s instructors. A particularly engaging
element of this program focuses on the subject
of bees – students explore bee cells, the honey
harvest, and natural beeswax products. More
than 130 fifth to eigth grade students from several
schools participated in the program and presented
the results of their research at the end of the course.

29. The Department of�
Resource Development�
and Public Relations

30. The Department of Resource Development
and Public Relations
The Department of Resource Development and The Institutional Donors of the Galilee Society
Public Relations fosters relationships between the in 2009:
Galilee Society and its international benefactors • European Union
and implementing partners in order to widen our • Open Society Institute
base of collaboration and affect issues of mutual • Sigrid Rausing Trust
concern. • Misereor
• Church of Scotland
In coordination with each of the professional • Healing Across the Divides
departments, the Department of Resource
Development and Public Relations works to
develop programs of the Galilee Society, identify
partners and secure the requisite financial
resources. The department follows up throughout
the various stages of implementation and promotes
community awareness of our work through media
outreach. In addition, the department contributes
by issuing electronic reviews, annual reports and
updating the website and various publications of
the organization.

31. ‫�ﺸﺎﻃﺎﺕ�ﻋﺎﻣﺔ‬General Activities
Other

32. Other General Activities
Special Relief Campaign during the War on Care for the Families of Young Patients in Tel
Gaza Hashomer Hospital
In response to the devastating attacks upon Throughout the past year, the Galilee Society
the civilian population of Gaza, the Galilee continued to support the families of the Palestinian
Society initiated an emergency relief campaign children of Gaza hospitalized at the Tel Hashomer
in coordination with global health institutions Hospital in Ramat Gan. Nearly 70 Palestinian
(such as the World Health Organization), the children from Gaza, aged 1 month to 14 years, are
Center for Management of Crisis and Emergency receiving treatment in the hospital; the period of
of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, treatment ranges from a few months to a few years.
and Physicians for Human Rights. Through this During this period, each child is accompanied by a
cooperative framework, the Galilee Society sent single custodial guardian, all of whom are forbidden
significant amounts of medical equipment to Gaza, to leave the hospital grounds. We provide care for
gathered through the generous donations of Arab these families by making periodic visits, facilitating
pharmacies throughout Israel. This approach was entertainment programs and other activities, and
met with a rapid popular response and public distributing funds or in-kind aid gathered from
readiness never before seen in Israel. generous donors throughout our community and
among the staff of the Galilee Society.
Amid the critical deterioration of the health
institutions in Gaza and resulting cessation of Honoring Dr. Hatem Kana’ne on the Occasion
therapeutic services, medical professionals had of the Publication of his Book
reached a point at which they could no longer The Galilee Society, in collaboration with Adalah
provide proper treatment for the wounded. In this – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in
context, the Galilee Society issued a statement Israel, organized a ceremony honoring Dr. Hatem
that was circulated to international human Rights Kana’ne (a founder of the Galilee Society and
organizations and others working in the fields of General Director for many years), on the occasion
health and environment, demanding immediate of the publication of his book Physician from the
intervention, pressure on the Israeli Government to Galilee. The ceremony was attended by many of
desist in its attack on Gaza and to make possible the the Galilee Society’s original founders.
delivery of medical aid to the Gaza Strip.

33. Grand Opening of the Institute of Applied features state-of-art tools and meets the highest
Research standards of rapidly advancing research systems.
On 30 September 2009, the Galilee Society
crowned a two-year construction effort with a A Volunteering Day in the Galilee Society
celebration of the opening of the new Research In November, a volunteer work day was held in the
and Development Center. In attendance was Galilee Society, attended by the staff and members
Minister of Science Daniel Hershkovitch, former of the Board of Directors, in collaboration with the
Minister of Science Shulamit Aloni, Member of Islamic Scout Center in Shefa-A’mr and a group of
Knesset Hanin Zouabi, Member of Knesset Ahmad volunteers and craftsmen. Participants conducted
Tibi, representatives of the Ministry of Science, and repairs and maintenance work throughout the
researchers from several universities, in addition building and its surroundings, including planting
to the members of the Board of Directors, heads of seedlings and flowers. This activity is part of the
other non-governmental organizations, local civil employees’ contribution to the completion of the
society activists and others. The new facility of the new facility of the Institute of Applied Research.
Institute of Applied Research of the Galilee Society

34. Organizational Overview
The Galilee Society is an unaffiliated, non governmental Palestinian Arab institution in Israel. The Galilee
Society was founded in 1981 by 4 healthcare specialists: Dr. Hatem Kana’ne, Dr. Anwar A’awad, Dr. Shoki
A’atallah, and Dr. Rona Makai, and with time evolved from an exclusively voluntary initiative to a regional
institution working in the fields of environment, health and social development, with a large professional
staff.
The Galilee Society is dedicated to achieving equality in the fields of health, environment, and socio-
economic development for Arab citizens in Israel. To this end, the Galilee Society works with local, regional
and international bodies, including civil society organizations, local and municipal authorities, and a range
of professional institutions.
By virtue of its projects, the Galilee Society has become a major contributor in the fields of private health
and sustainable development, and is the primary address for the Palestinian citizens in Israel and their
elected representatives in the fields of health and environment at the local level. At the international level,
the Galilee Society is involved in struggle to provide health, environmental, and developmental justice for
national ethnic minorities in industrialized countries.
The Society works within two frameworks: the General Program and Strategic Program.
The General Program includes four professional centers:
1. Health Rights Center
2. Environmental Justice Center
3. Rikaz – Databank on the Palestinian Minority in Israel
4. The Naqab Department
Strategic Program elements include:
1. The Institute of Applied Research
2. Al-Maissam Medicinal Plant Center for Research and Education
3. Biotechnological patent companies
In the various projects and activities, the Galilee Society always aims to empower the community and
enhance its abilities, employing a bottom-up strategy to sustainable development through strategies that
reinforce leadership within the Palestinian community in Israel.

35. Board of Directors Health Rights Center Institute of Applied research
Abed Masalha – Chair of Board Mohammad Khatib – Director Dr. Jeries Jadoun – Researcher and Scientific Director
Wael Omari Amira Othman –Breast Cancer Project Coordinator Dr. Hassan Azaizeh – Researcher
Roseland Daem Mahmoud Abd al Halim – Sexual and HIV/AIDS Educational Dr. Sobhi Bashir – Researcher
Majd Haddad Program Dr. Walid Khalifa – Researcher
Isam Omar Dr. Bashar Saad – Researcher
Dr. Ali Gniem Environmental Justice Center Dr. Isam Sabbah – Researcher and Manger of Agrobex Company
Mohammad Abbas Shadi Azzam, Lawyer - Director (until July 2009) Dr. Ahmad Tafesh – Researcher
Emtanes Shehade Ala Haidar, Lawyer - Director (since August 2009) Dr. Naim Najami – Researcher
Habib Keryanne Lina O. Knnane, Lawyer - Project Coordinator* Dr. Ahmad Yazbek - Researcher and Manger of Syntatex Company
Morad Habiballah - Environmental Education Coordinator Dr. Malek Yousef – Researcher
Administrational Staff Mai Assadi - Environmental Education Coordinator* Heba Abu Tayeh – M.A. Student
General Director Lilian Khalil - Environmental Education Coordinator* Katy Baransi – M.A. Student
Baker Awawdy (since July 2009) Faris Halhly- Co-researcher
Mohammad Khatib (until June 2009) Rikaz Databank Alaa Hamadi - Co-researcher
Ahmad Sheikh Mohammad – Director Ghadir Zraik - Co-researcher
Administrative Coordinator and Librarian Aid Rohana – Senior Economist Anwar Masalha - Co-researcher
Rima Hayek-Zayed Mahmoud Khatib – Economy Researcher Mohammad Majdoub - Co-researcher
Leena Abu Mukh Zoabi, Lawyer* - Advocator Rana Jarjoura - Co-researcher
CPA and Director of Financial Department Liana Fahoum – Resource Development and Community Kefah Khshiboun - Co-researcher
Suhier Hanna-Armali Coordinator* Nejme Abbas - Co-researcher
Suheil Swaid – Field Research Coordinator Majeda Jeryes - Co-researcher
Hanadi Azzam - Co-researcher
The Naqab Department Ghassan Baransi – Accountant
Khuloud al Assad – Secretary Clair Tawafshe – Administrative Assistant
Maher Abu Ratyoush – Mobile Clinic Driver
Al-Maissam
The Department of Development and Public Relations Dr. Naim Kraim – Director (until July 2009)
Jammie Mandel – Director (until July 2009) Tareq Omar – Director (since August 2009)
Naama Blatman – Director (since October 2009)
Sarika Sanha – Intern Guides
Jonathan Langer – Intern Ghaidaa Abu Ahmad
Farra Kahalnik – Manager of Resource Development Doua Bsoul
Emad Abu Ali
Ahmad Hejazi
Rasha Zar’eni
Hoda Othman
*Joined the staff during 2010

36. The Galilee Society
The Arab National Society for Health Research and Services (R.S.)
www.gal-soc.org