‘Healthcare transcends politics’: Australian government gives $4m to peacebuilder

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a $4 million grant from the Australian government to the Palestinian-Israeli health diplomacy organisation Rozana, a landmark investment in peacebuilding by an Australian government.

Founded by Australian Ron Finkel, Rozana works to address health gaps in the region and foster relationships between Israelis and Palestinians through healthcare.

The grant is the first major investment Rozana has received from the Australian government. Investment in grassroot peacebuilding initiatives is seen to be one of the few ways in which middle powers such as Australia could contribute to resolving the conflict.

Chair of Rozana Australia Lee Ann Basser told The Jewish Independent that securing the funding was an “extraordinary milestone” for the organisation and a “statement of confidence in health diplomacy as a tool for building peace”.

“The announcement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is a powerful statement that healthcare can be a unifying force in conflict-affected regions,” Basser said.

“Healthcare transcends politics – it is a human right, and by bringing Israeli and Palestinian health professionals together, we are fostering collaboration that not only saves lives today but also lays the groundwork for a more peaceful future.”

The funding was announced at a private event at The Lodge to an audience of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian representatives bussed from Sydney for the occasion. In a clear recognition of the sensitivity of any issue related to the Israel-Palestine conflict, attendees were instructed not to share details of the event publicly.

The funding will go towards two major initiatives. The first supports the Al Rahma (Mercy) Rehabilitation Hospital in Hebron, which is now 80 per cent complete, to provide services for Palestinians recovering from severe injuries and medical conditions. While the hospital will primarily serve patients from the West Bank, it will also be accessible to Gazans once borders reopen.

The new funding will be used to purchase state-of-the-art medical devices; establish a mental health unit; and train the hospital’s Palestinian medical team in Israel. As such, the investment stretches beyond immediate relief to strengthen Palestine’s health sector by developing local expertise, infrastructure and capacity.

Executive Director of Rozana Palestine, Mohammad Asideh, said the hospital was sorely needed in the region, and expressed his appreciation for the funding.

"For too long, rehabilitation services in the West Bank have been out of reach for those who need them most. This funding is changing that reality,” Asideh said.

“Thanks to the Australian Government’s support, thousands of patients – many of them children – will finally have access to high-quality care close to home. Beyond treatment, this initiative strengthens Palestine’s health system, fosters cooperation, and builds hope for the future."

The funding will also be used for a second initiative, which will see health leaders from the region travel to Australia for a two-week visit to gain exposure to our advanced health system and identify opportunities for collaboration.

As part of the visit, the health leaders will meet Albanese and senior officials in Canberra to promote the role of health diplomacy; engage with local Muslim and Jewish communities to advance social cohesion; and develop a needs assessment report that outlines gaps in the Palestinian health sector.

The funding comes at a critical crossroads for international aid. In February, President Donald Trump froze nearly all US foreign aid worldwide for three months to assess programs for "efficiency" and "consistency with foreign policy". USAID also terminated its funding of Rozana’s Nursing Hub Project, which aims to address gaps in specialist fields for 500 Palestinian and Israeli nurses.

Basser said Australia’s commitment to Rozana at this time sends an important message to the sector.

“This funding is also a call to action for the interfaith peacebuilding sector, demonstrating that partnerships between governments, NGOs, and grassroots organisations can deliver tangible, long-term impact. At a time when peace can feel more distant than ever, this support shows that diplomatic and humanitarian efforts must continue in parallel,” Basser said.

“Now is the time for other governments to step in and show their commitment to NGOs working on the frontlines of peacebuilding. Now is the time to invest in healing – both physically and socially – so that peace is not just a distant aspiration, but a tangible reality for future generations.”

Founded in Australia in 2013 by Ron Finkel, Rozana has grown to become an international initiative, running several major aid projects. This includes a range of education initiatives, such as a program to train Israeli and Palestinian nurses together and fellowships for Palestinian doctors to train in Israel. In Wheels of Hope, Israeli volunteers drive Palestinians from the occupied territories to Israeli hospitals for medical care.

It has so far developed partnerships with 14 hospitals across Gaza, Israel and the West Bank, and trained over 500 trauma physicians, nurses and psychologists from both sides of the border.

Since October 7, Rozana has pivoted to respond to urgent humanitarian needs, including expanding and strengthening rehabilitation, trauma care and mental health projects; opening a mobile tent clinic in Gaza serving displaced residents; and sustaining Women4Women, which provides primary, sexual and reproductive healthcare to Palestinian women in remote West Bank communities.

“Despite the war and its consequences, we have witnessed extraordinary acts of courage, compassion, and resilience – and we continue to see a strong willingness among both Israeli and Palestinian healthcare professionals to engage in peacebuilding efforts,” Basser concluded.