December 2024 Newsletter
Dear Friends,
As 2024 draws to a close, amidst the impending light of Hanukkah and spirit of Christmas, we reflect on a year of profound challenges. And yet, our global community, dedicated team, and courageous program participants have united in remarkable ways.
For our final newsletter of the year, I could have chosen any of our inspiring stories, but I wanted to highlight the voices of two remarkable nurse leaders—one Israeli and one Palestinian. Alongside 20 colleagues, they embarked on a transformative 10-day journey this month, embodying the core of Rozana’s health diplomacy mission. This experience, part of Rozana’s Nursing Hub launched in October 2022 with support from USAID under the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA), took them from Jerusalem to Lausanne. It followed months of in-person and virtual collaboration, equipping these nursing professionals to become true Health Diplomats.
In Switzerland, supported by Coexistences—an organization fostering dialogue by hosting mixed Israeli and Palestinian groups—the participants confronted the deeply ingrained “us vs. them” mindset. Rozana is dedicated to breaking this binary. The experience not only challenged entrenched divisions and cultivated an environment of shared lived experiences and pains but also strengthened their resolve to collaborate for better health and peace in our region.
This season, as we light candles and exchange gifts, let’s embrace the spirit of unity and hope, reaffirming that even in the most divided times, cooperation remains both possible and essential. Let's call for an end to the devastating war, the safe release of 100 Israeli hostages still in captivity in Gaza, the healing of nearly 2 million displaced Palestinians and the rehabilitation of Gaza, and the creation of a regional framework that ensures mutual dignity and security for us today and for our children tomorrow.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Wishing you a holiday season filled with shared humanity.
In peace and hope,
Ronit Zimmer
CEO, Rozana
Reflection by Noa: Connection and Complexity
This process was the first time I had the privilege to meet Palestinian colleagues—not Palestinian citizens of Israel, but from the West Bank. Spending six days together in a shared environment created a unique space for connection. The setting encouraged us to open up, even about topics that might typically feel too heavy or taboo. It wasn’t always easy, but it was transformative.
Reflections by Nabil (pseudonym): Bridging Divides Through Dialogue
This experience was unlike anything I’ve had before. While I’ve had brief interactions with Israeli colleagues in the past, this was the first time I spent an extended period engaging with them on such a deep level. Over the course of our time together, we discussed a wide range of topics, including ones that are often considered too sensitive to address. It was different—challenging, but also transformative.
