Extractions

Abstract

Behind Dr Shmuel’s desk and to the right on the wall was a large map of the State of Israel (see Figure 1.1). It included but did not mark the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the Gaza Strip. It was a topographical map, with major roads and cities marked by dots and dashes. On this map, five round, coloured stickers were affixed, marking the location of the company’s five satellite clinics in various parts of the country. At the top left-hand corner of the poster was a glossy company brochure. On this brochure was a picture of a blonde baby popping out of an oversized chicken’s egg. The caption in Hebrew read: ‘Lir’ot et hanolad, ve-maher!’ ‘To see the [child that is] born, and fast!’ On the wall next to this map was a photograph of four European-looking people: the doctor, a woman, a man and a baby, presumably two of the doctor’s happy new parents with their baby.