Project Rozana was originally set up six years ago by the Jewish women’s group Hadassah Australia, which has strong links with Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital. The group’s goal as stated on its website is to “build better understanding between Israelis and Palestinians through health.”

The charity was named after Rozana Salawhi, a Palestinian girl  who was saved by doctors at Hadassah after falling from an apartment block in the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the West Bank.

Rifi is a prominent figure in Sydney’s Lebanese Muslim community and has been recognized for his work to prevent the radicalization of young people by Islamic State (IS).

The doctor said that he feared that he had been referred to Lebanon’s Military Court for possible prosecution — which means he cannot visit his ailing mother in the country for fear of being arrested.

Rifi also turned to NSW Police to investigate threats against him and his family.

“While the investigation remains with local police, appropriate referrals have been made to the Engagement and Intervention Unit and Bias Crime Unit within the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command,” a police spokesman told journalists on Friday.