Emergency action: Protect Palestinian civilians and health workers | Emergency action: Protect Palestinian civilians and health workers in the West Bank

Emergency action: Protect Palestinian civilians and health workers

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I am writing to you as a constituent to ask for your urgent support in calling on the UK Foreign Secretary to take immediate action to protect Palestinian healthcare and civilians, amid escalating Israeli military and settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

As you are aware, the situation in the West Bank is dire, particularly for health workers who risk their lives every day to provide critical medical care in immensely challenging circumstances.

In the first five months of 2023, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported 149 violations against its medical teams, a 255% increase compared to the same period in 2022. PRCS emergency responders are now being supplied with bulletproof vests and helmets following incidents of targeting with live ammunition and other weapons.

As well as the constant fear of violence, Palestinian health workers face immense challenges, from shortages of essential medical supplies to obstruction when they try to reach the wounded. These courageous and dedicated humanitarians must be protected.

Furthermore, the lives of Palestinian civilians are at risk on a daily basis. So far this year, the Israeli military and settlers have killed 153 Palestinians in the West Bank. 2023 has now already surpassed 2022 as the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since 2005.

There has also been a surge in Israeli settler violence, with settlers rampaging through towns and villages, attacking Palestinians, burning homes and shops, and setting fire to cars.

The UK government has often stated its belief that health workers and civilians must be protected in conflicts around the world. There must be no exceptions to the rule of international law, and so the impunity enjoyed by the Israeli military and settlers alike must end.

I therefore ask that you write urgently to UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to call on him to take the following actions:

• Make it clear to his Israeli counterparts that violations against Palestinians’ rights to health and dignity – including the demolitions of homes and infrastructure, routine use of excessive force and attacks on healthcare personnel and facilities, settlement expansion, and discriminatory restrictions on freedom of movement – will be met with meaningful diplomatic and political consequences.

• Support genuine and meaningful investigations and legal accountability for serious violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian territory, including through the International Criminal Court and UN Commission of Inquiry.

• Immediately provide emergency preparedness funding to local Palestinian and international health providers in the oPt, while also ensuring the viability of essential services by reversing cuts in funding to UNRWA and for Palestinian health workers’ salaries via the PEGASE mechanism.

• Place the principles of sustainable development and self-determination at the heart of foreign, aid and development policies towards the Palestinians.

I also ask that you raise these issues with your party leadership, and urge them to articulate a clear vision for ending impunity for violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian territory, and the protection of healthcare workers around the world.

I hope you will take swift action to address these issues and look forward to hearing from you soon.

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