Dr Mads Gilbert has always gone above and beyond for the Palestinian cause Photo Kinder USA
World – Born on June 2, 1947, in Porsgrunn, Norway, Dr. Mads Gilbert stands as a Norwegian luminary in the tapestry of compassionate healers. Renowned for his unwavering commitment to humanitarian service, particularly in conflict zones, he has woven a legacy of voluntary medical outreach spanning nearly three decades. His focus has been on extending healing hands to Palestinians, earning him admiration not only from Norwegians but also from Palestinians and a global audience, despite the nuanced characterization by Israeli authorities.
Dr. Gilbert’s allegiance to the cause of Palestine wasn’t a predetermined path. In an interview with International Middle East Media Center, he revealed his upbringing, like that of all Norwegians, was steeped in a “pro-Israeli narrative”. However, a transformative shift occurred when he volunteered at a Kibbutz in Israel, witnessing a Palestine under occupation, akin to Norway’s wartime experience during World War II.
His extensive career, shaped by his upbringing in post-World War II Norway, has seen him at the forefront of impactful projects in various countries, including occupied Palestine during the past major bombardments in 2006, 2009, 2012, and 2014, Burma, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Angola, and Iran. Dr. Gilbert’s commitment to healing transcends borders.
In 2009, Israel initiated Operation Cast Lead, also known as the Gaza Massacre, unleashing a three-week assault on Gaza. Responding to the urgent call, Dr. Gilbert embarked on an emergency mission for the Norwegian Aid Committee (NORWAC). He dedicated himself not only to saving Palestinian lives but also to serving as a voice for the untold stories within the conflict zone. His firsthand accounts ensured the Palestinian plight reached the global stage, later chronicled in his book Eyes in Gaza (2009).
Eyes In Gaza, the book written by Dr Mads Gilber and that documents Israel's twenty-two day military offensive on the Gaza Strip in 2009 Photo Amazon UK
Dr Mads Gilbert treating a wounded patient at Gaza’s Shifa hospital during Operation Cast Lead which saw Israel bombard Gaza for 22 days (Mohamed Al-Zanon/MaanImages)
In 2014, Dr. Gilbert and Dr. Erik Fosse described the dire situation in Gaza in an open letter to The Lancet. The letter, supported by 24 doctors and scientists, drew criticism from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, resulting in a lifetime ban on Dr. Gilbert’s entry into Israel which he learnt about later that year. While the ban did not explicitly include the Gaza Strip, access to the region depends on Israeli entry points due to the closure of the Rafah passage by Egypt. This came after Operation Protective Edge, in which Dr Gilbert was again in Gaza to help those being murdered and wounded. He released a book titled “Night in Gaza” (2015) which vividly documents the attacks that lasted fifty-one days.
Dr Mads Gilbert with Dr Erik Fosse, right, talk to reporters about their experiences in Gaza Photo Nasser Nasser/AP/Guardian
Dr Mads Gilbert and his colleague Issam Photo CB/ TV5 Monde
Dr Mads Gilbert with his book Night in Gaza Photo The Palestine Information Centre
Despite the ban, Dr. Gilbert has persistently raised his voice, denouncing the recurrent bombings of hospitals, residential areas, and the targeting of medical facilities and healthcare workers by Israel. He remains an unwavering activist, dedicated to ending the brutal occupation of the Palestinian people.
His exceptional achievements have garnered numerous prestigious awards, including The University of Oslo Honorary Prize in Emergency Medicine (1999) and the Power of Humanity Award from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (2000).
Recognizing his overall contributions, Dr. Gilbert was appointed Commander of the Order of St. Olav in 2013, and in 2014, he was granted honorary citizenship of Palestine by President Mahmoud Abbas. He travels to Gaza annually to teach, treat, research and participate actively to improve Gaza’s health care alongside his Palestinian colleagues. In May 1999, Dr. Gilbert played a pivotal role in the rescue and resuscitation of Anna Bågenholm, marking a groundbreaking moment in extreme hypothermia treatment and earning him recognition as Årets Nordlending 2000 (“Northern Norwegian of the Year, 2000”).
Dr Mads Gilbert with Anna Bågenholm Photo sfatulparintilor.ro
In the symphony of Dr Gilbert’s life, the notes of compassion, resilience, and unwavering dedication resonate profoundly. Beyond the accolades and awards, his legacy is a testament to the transformative power of empathy and the boundless reach of healing hands. Dr. Gilbert’s journey, marked by a profound commitment to the cause of Palestine and a lifelong dedication to alleviating suffering, paints a portrait of a man whose heart beats in harmony with humanity.
