"I dedicated my entire life for peace, for medicine." - Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, MD, MPH


Dr. Abuelaish

Izzeldin Abuelaish, often referred to as “the Gaza Doctor,” is a Palestinian medical doctor and infertility specialist who has dedicated his life to peace in the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Born and raised in the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Abuelaish has overcome many personal hardships to become one of the most outspoken, prominent and beloved researchers, educators and public speakers on peace and development in the Middle East. His personal doctrine is that hate is not a response to war. Rather open communication, understanding and compassion are the tools to bridge the divide between Israeli and Palestinian interests.

Who are we?

The foundation provides scholarships for high school and university education and will examine existing programs and services to find out what is working for girls and women, and what is not. It will develop new curriculum to fill the gaps and assist in improving current programs. At the same time, the foundation will use its funds to commission research into the advancement of girls and women and to create an advocacy program to make sure the community gets behind the changes we propose.

Want to donate?

We appreciate your donations, as they help us grow. You can donate in many ways. Click here to get more details.

welcome to Daughters for Life

Welcome to the Daughters for Life Foundation. DFL awards scholarships to young women in the Middle East to be used both for university tuition and health and other education programs. We offer these awards to young women of diverse backgrounds who have experienced and overcome great hardship in order to provide them with the opportunity to study in Middle Eastern or Western institutions of their choice. DFL believes that by allowing these women to earn degrees and garner experience through education, they can partake in the creation of a better world and, most importantly, hope again. Follow Dr. Abuelaish on Twitter: @DrAbuelaish

Latest News

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  • DFLF awards students at the University of Haifa

    By admin on July - 26 - 2011

    On July 26, 2011, The Daughters for Life foundation awarded two youthful women, Gal Klauzner and Shoaq Abo Ayoub, at the University of Haifa. Dr. Abuelaish offered each an award for attaining academic excellence in the Faculty of Law. The Faculty Dean, Prof. Niva Elkin-Koren; the Vice President for External Relations and Resource Development, Amos Gaver; and the Executive Director of the International Resource Development, Caroline Arends were also at the ceremony. Read→

  • DFLF awards Gaza’s Islamic University students

    By admin on July - 17 - 2011

    Dr. Abuelaish received a warm welcome from Prof. Dr. Rustom, Vice President of the Islamic University for Foreign Relations and Information Technology, on July 17, 2011. Once again, the Daughters for Life foundation awarded smart young women who achieved academic brilliance. The awardees of the Islamic University in Gaza were: Eman Farrag, Esra Qawash, Reem Safi, Shireen Qasem, and Zaina Muhaisen. Dr. Khozondar, Coordinator of the External Relations Office of the Vice President for External... Read→

  • Daughters for Life Awards presented in Jordan

    By admin on July - 9 - 2011

    On June 25, the Daughters for Life Foundation awarded scholarships to three bright young women studying law at the University of Jordan. Pictured above are Razan Mahmoud Alqasim, Aisha Mohammed Alsmadi and Doaa Khalil Far. Two medical students at the Jordanian University of Science and Technology (JUST) were also presented with DFL awards.  Read More →



  • Dr. Abuelaish and DFL Honored at University of Manitoba

    By admin on June - 7 - 2011

    June 7, Shawn Bern Director of the Arthur V. Mauro Center for Peace and Justice presents an honorary doctorate of laws to Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish for his personal campaign for peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people. To view the ceremony video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOIBswvIBtI.  Read More →



  • First Annual Daughters for Life Awards presented at BGU

    By admin on June - 2 - 2011

    The first annual ceremony of the Daughters for Life Foundation awards at BGU was held on Thursday, June 2, 2011 as part of the main University’s Fellowships award event, organized by the Dean of Students Yaakov Affek and in the presence of University President Prof. Rivka Carmi. Daughters for Life was created by Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish in memory of his three daughters, Bessan, Mayar and Aya, who were tragically killed on January 16, 2009... Read→

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