Dr Mona El Farra, invited by the Coalition for Justice and Peace (CJPP), is making a nationwide tour of Australia as the 2013 CJPP Nakba Commemoration speaker.

“Occupation is so ugly, it’s difficult to control, it’s not human,” she said. “It doesn’t only affect the occupied, but the occupier, it deprives them of their humanity.”

Peace activist Ray Goodlass said it was an honour to hear stories of Gaza first-hand.

“It’s difficult to hear these accounts; it’s a rare privilege,” he said.  

“Dr El Farra’s visit is significant because it will put a human face to what we read about as second-hand media reports. 

“That helps us to understand with the heart what the head might know.”

The Palestinian physician, activist, educator and blogger presented her “From Gaza with love” talk at the Historic Council Chambers and spoke to fourth-year medical students at the University of NSW medical school. 

The addresses focused on the humanitarian aspect and the effect of the occupation and siege on the daily lives of people.

“We lead very difficult lives every day; we don’t have regular power, water is not clean – 90 per cent is unsuitable for drinking,” Dr El Farra said.

The shocking list of depravation continued.

“Eighty per cent of the population depend on external assistance,” she said. 

“Forty per cent of families have food insecurity. 

An increasing number of children are suffering trauma effects of military assaults. Israeli aggression will leave psychological scars on the children for years to come; instilling fear, anger and loss in them will not bring peace and security to Israelis.”

Dr El Farra, who is director of Gaza projects for the Middle East Children’s Alliance said there were positive programs being run for children, healthcare and culture. 

“There is movement inside the community to help each other,” Dr El Farra said.