Perth Voice Interactive

A GROUP of Perth doctors are continuing their crusade to raise funds for health care in Gaza with a special screening of Where Olive Trees Weep in Mosman Park.

The group of 16 doctors – mostly anaesthetists and intensive care specialists from Perth Children’s Hospital – have already raised $70,000 for humanitarian and health care organisations in Gaza.

PCH Dr Prani Shrivastava says their “politically neutral” group was formed in March 2024 and includes people who have Jewish and Palestinian family.

“We have also been working with Jews for Palestine WA and the Palestinian Australian and New Zealand Medical Association in various capacities, speaking up for healthcare workers and the innocent children and pregnant women who are being denied basic pain relief for delivery and surgery,” Dr Shrivastava says.

Their previous sold-out fundraising events included a talk from a doctor who recently volunteered with the international Red Cross, FAJR scientific or PANZMA.

“Shrapnel wounds, crush injuries, burns, amputations and associated massive blood loss are some of the primary injuries with secondary injury related to limited resources, sepsis, malnutrition, and profound psychological trauma associated with the devastating loss,” Dr David Borshoff says.

“On top of that there is real moral injury in the healthcare givers who are unable to provide lifesaving care needed because of both few or no resources and direct personal threat.”

Made in 2022, Where Olive Trees Weep gives an insight into the lives of Palestinian people living in the occupied West Bank.

It features Palestinian and Israeli activists, including physician and holocaust survivor Dr Gabor Mate.

A searing window into the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation, it explores themes of loss, trauma and the quest for justice. Where Olive Trees Weep is at Camelot Outdoor Cinemas in Mosman Park on February 16 at 8pm with wood-fired pizza and drinks available from the bar.

There will also be a fundraising quiz night at South Fremantle Football Club, Parry St on March 22 with items up for grabs in a silent auction.

Previous funds raised have been donated to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (used to feed Palestinians in Gaza), Children not Numbers (used to provide winter clothing for children), Palestinian Red Crescent, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. 

For more info and tix see trybooking (trybooking.com/events/landing/1339027).