“In 1996, at the initiative of U.S. President Bill Clinton,
the Middle East Consortium (MECC) was established: an
organization dedicated to fostering cooperation between
Israel, the Palestinians and other countries in the Middle East
in their multifaceted struggle against cancer.”

For nearly two decades, Michael Silbermann led the
consortium (MECC), demonstrating that collaboration
across political divides can be also a source of hope, vitality,
and mutual understanding among peoples in conflict.

This compelling autobiography tells the story of one of the last
Jewish children born in Arab Acre in the months preceding
the outbreak of the Great Palestinian Revolt. Growing up
during the turbulent years leading to the establishment of the
State of Israel, Michael Silbermann went on to become a
founding member of the Technion Faculty of Medicine and
later its Dean. He subsequently served as Chief Scientist of
Israel’s Ministry of Health, where he established the Middle
East Cancer Consortium.

Spanning personal, academic, and public milestones, this is
the remarkable life story of a scientist, institution-builder, and
advocate for regional cooperation.