During the latest assault against the village of Beit Hanoun in the north of Gaza, civilians were greatly affected by the brutal practices of the Israeli army for six continuous days. Women in labour gave birth on the road while waiting for permission to go to the hospital. Some of the injured bled to death while waiting for the same permission. Four emergency health rescue officers were killed while on duty and wearing clearly visible uniforms. Within the last 4 months, the army greatly hindered the movement of ambulances.
We, the Palestinian health providers in the non-governmental sector, express our deep concern at the rapid deterioration of health conditions.
A whole nation of 1.4 million is living under disastrous humanitarian conditions. We have endured without electricity for a continuous 4 month period; we watch daily as increasing numbers of cancer patients die while waiting to cross the borders for further treatment in Egyptian hospitals – they were denied the right of treatment because of the imposed border closure between Gaza and Egypt. Economic sanctions imposed by Western governments have left 70% of Gazans living below the poverty level. As a consequence, 42% of Gaza children under 5 years of age suffer from iron deficiency anaemia. Post-traumatic stress disorder has reached 60% among children in the north of Gaza, where the atrocities reached their maximum.
Medics are working under fire. Many hospitals were either randomly attacked or besieged, preventing the injured from reaching them, as happened recently in Beit Hanoun.
Mindful of the sanctions unfairly imposed on the entire Palestinian people by the USA, Britain and the EU, it is time now for all of us who believe in justice and peace, believe in humanity as one family, and in solidarity between health workers worldwide, to take a further step and stronger stand – a non-violent act of sanctions against Israeli health institutions, those various universities and hospitals that support the inhuman acts against Palestinian people through the Israeli occupation. At the same time, we need to strengthen our relations and bonds with those courageous Israeli health institutions and organizations who refuse the brutal acts of the Israeli occupation and work hard for peace and stability in the region based on recognition of the Palestinian people’s inalienable rights.
From our big prison where we are incarcerated in our own country, where we do not feel that any place is safe or anybody is immune, where we cannot even protect our children or our patients, we thank you for your solidarity. We hope for a better future for generations to come when this conflict ends and this Israeli occupation passes into history, along with the South African apartheid regime.
Signed
Palestinian Non-Govermental Organisations Network (PNGO)
Health sector organisations of PNGO
Union of Health Work Committees
Palestinian Red Crescent Society
Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
Union of Palestinian Health Welfare Committees
Medical Relief Society
University Teachers' Association-Palestine
The Independent Palestinian Association for Tracking Israeli War Criminals
The Arab Forum
The Nasserist Current
AlAWDA Hospital emergency room nurses and doctors - Jabalia Refugee camp
Ambulance drivers of AlAwda hospital
Community-based Rehabilitation Center
Union of Palestinian Women Committees
Adameer for Human Rights Association
Middle East Children's Alliances - Gaza
Dr. Mona Elfarra
Dr. R. Muhanna
Dr. Yuosef Moussa
Dr. Aed Yagi
Dr. Tayseer Sultan
and many more living and working in Gaza
for more information, please contact
Dr. Mona ElFarra - Gaza, AlAwda hospital health and development consultant, human rights and women activist in Gaza
[email][email protected][/email]