From checkpoints, to blockade, to dwindling resources, healthcare workers across the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) face many challenges to their life-saving duties. Among the most shocking issues they face are repeated violent attacks by Israeli forces, including while trying to treat those wounded at protests in the West Bank or injured during military assaults on Gaza.
During protests in the West Bank in May last year, the Palestine Red Crescent Society reported almost daily attacks on their staff and facilities, with three ambulances put out of use due to damage. While in Gaza, Israel’s 11-day military offensive damaged more than 30 healthcare centres, including the near-total destruction of a COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinic, and killed two doctors and a psychologist.
As one UN investigation has stated: “The occupied Palestinian territory is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a health worker.”
Now, at an upcoming meeting of the UN Security Council, states have the opportunity to speak out against Israel’s attacks on Palestinian health workers and facilities, and demand an end to impunity for violations of international law that keep them in the firing line.
On 25 May the Security Council will hold its annual debate on the protection of civilians in conflict, and it is vital that the persistent threats facing Palestinian healthcare heroes are not forgotten from this discussion.
The debate comes seven years since the Council unanimously passed Resolution 2286 (2016), which condemned attacks on health services in conflicts around the world, demanded that states comply with international humanitarian and human rights law which prohibits such violations, and urged states to take proactive steps to hold perpetrators to account.
If your country – like the UK, the US or Ireland – is currently a member of the UN Security Council, please take action to demand that your government seize this vital opportunity. By clicking the links below you can tweet at your country's UN representative today.
Tweet your representative from the UK
Tweet your representative from the US
Tweet your representative from France
Tweet your representative from Ireland
Tweet your representative from Norway
Tweet your representative from the UAE
Don't have Twitter, or your country is not a Security Council member? If you are in the UK you can email your MP and urge them to help address Gaza's healthcare crisis today:
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