Sabine Sterk: Compassion Beyond Borders: Israel Saves Lives
Genocide and apartheid are terms often thrown at Israel in the media and online discourse, yet they are far from the truth. In reality, Israel and its citizens, along with Jewish organizations worldwide, have been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, providing medical care, aid, and hope to Palestinians and others in the region.
These acts of compassion reveal a side of Israel that is rarely acknowledged: a nation committed to saving lives, fostering coexistence, and extending help without prejudice.
Many people do not realize how many Israeli and Jewish organizations are directly involved in helping Palestinian and Muslim children receive life-saving medical care. Road to Recovery, for instance, relies on dedicated volunteers who transport children from checkpoints to Israeli hospitals, ensuring they get urgent treatment without delay. Project Rozana focuses on long-term solutions, funding medical training programs and improving healthcare access for Palestinians. Save a Child’s Heart, a remarkable organization, provides treatment for children with heart disease from Gaza and around the world, offering care irrespective of faith or nationality. Similarly, the Peres Center for Peace runs the “Saving Children” project, bringing Palestinian children to Israel for free surgeries that would otherwise be unavailable.
Even beyond children’s healthcare, organizations like IsraAID deliver humanitarian and medical aid on a global scale, including support for Palestinian communities in crises. These initiatives demonstrate that compassion knows no borders and that Israelis, working hand in hand with Jewish organizations, are actively building trust and demonstrating what true coexistence looks like.
The scale of Israeli humanitarian efforts extends beyond medical care. Dozens of Israeli NGOs, private donors, and companies coordinate with the government’s COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) to deliver aid and track cross-border humanitarian support. Since Israel eased the blockade in May 2025, thousands of aid trucks have entered Gaza. According to AP reports, roughly 4,500 trucks have delivered essential supplies, an average of about 70 truckloads per day. Some days saw extraordinary deliveries, such as 915 aid trucks entering Gaza in a single day, according to UN and Reuters reporting. Despite fluctuating daily numbers, the consistency of aid highlights Israel’s ongoing commitment to humanitarian relief.
It is worth reflecting on how differently Israel approaches conflict compared to the narrative often portrayed. If Israel were intent on indiscriminate destruction, it would not issue warnings to civilians in conflict zones, drop leaflets, or make phone calls advising people to evacuate. Hospitals would be off-limits, yet Israel treats patients from Gaza, Syria, and even Iran. Food, medicine, and aid are sent year after year, while efforts are made to protect civilians, even in urban combat zones. Contrast this with the actions of Hamas, where human shields are used, civilians are endangered, and tragedies are celebrated rather than prevented. The stark contrast between rhetoric and reality could not be clearer.
The widespread willingness to believe the lies about Israel demonstrates the power of misinformation. Genocide and apartheid accusations ignore the countless stories of compassion, medical care, and humanitarian assistance that Israelis provide daily. While political narratives may frame Israel as aggressive or cruel, the reality is that Israelis actively save lives and work toward peace, even in the most challenging circumstances.
In the end, Israel’s story is one of humanity in action. Compassion extends beyond borders, faith, or nationality. Whether it is a child from Gaza receiving heart surgery, volunteers driving patients through checkpoints, or aid trucks bringing food and supplies, the evidence is overwhelming: Israel saves lives. It is a nation committed not only to its own survival but also to the moral responsibility of helping those in need.
For anyone willing to look beyond headlines, the truth is clear: Israel’s humanitarian efforts, particularly toward Palestinians, challenge the false narratives of genocide and apartheid. They reveal a society where empathy, medical care, and peace-building are not just ideals but actions taken every day.
