September 21, 2014, Updated September 22, 2014

 

Dr. Kamal Al-Labwani speaks with Ziv Medical Center staff. (Ziv Medical Center)
Dr. Kamal Al-Labwani speaks with Ziv Medical Center staff. (Ziv Medical Center)

Dr. Kamal Al-Labwani, considered one of the most prominent members of the Syrian opposition movement, was in Israel recently to visit the Syrian casualties hospitalized in the Ziv Medical Center near Safed (Tsfat).

A Syrian doctor and artist, sometimes called “the Syrian Nelson Mandela,” Al-Labwani came to Israel to thank the medical teams.

“I am filled with appreciation for the devoted medical care that the Ziv Medical Center is providing for the Syrian casualties, people from my nation, who have been injured in the war. This is a touching humanitarian gesture and an opportunity to bridge between the nations and a hope for peace in more quiet times,” he said.

'I came to the Ziv Medical Center to thank the hospital for treating hundreds of men, women and children.' (Ziv Medical Center)
‘I came to the Ziv Medical Center to thank the hospital for treating hundreds of men, women and children.’ (Ziv Medical Center)

“I came to the Ziv Medical Center to thank the hospital for treating hundreds of men, women and children, who have received the highest quality treatment, and emotional support following the difficult events they have experienced during the war in Syria. This treatment is not only for the wounded children and women, it is for the entire Syrian people, this is how we feel and everyone knows this and is talking about it. In Syria, Bashar Al- Assad claims that the Israelis are the enemies, and, here, at the hospital we see who the real Israel is. I ask: who is really the enemy?'”

Al-Labwani also met leading figures in the Israeli government during his visit.

'Here, at the hospital we see who the real Israel is.'  - Dr. Al-Labwani (Ziv Medical Center)
‘Here, at the hospital we see who the real Israel is.’ – Dr. Al-Labwani (Ziv Medical Center)

He was joined on his visit by Moti Kahana, an Israeli-American businessman, who has been involved in humanitarian activities for the victims of the civil war in Syria and in the efforts to assist the Jews still remaining in Syria to leave the country.

Hospitals throughout Israel have treated hundreds of Syrians wounded in their civil war.

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