Previous Media Releases And Statements

ANZDFP Statement on Harmful Effects of Palestinian Censorship on Student Mental Health

The Australian and New Zealand Doctors for Palestine (ANZDFP), representing over 1,100 Australasian medical practitioners, are dedicated to upholding the human rights of Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We are deeply concerned about the censorship and discrimination experienced by students and teachers regarding Palestine, and its impact on student mental health. [ea1] 

Background on the Palestinian Crisis

Since October 7th, 2023 the number of Palestinian casualties has reached catastrophic levels; the International Court of Justice has deemed this a plausible genocide. Over 1.9 million Palestinians have been re-displaced, with at least 90,000 injured and 40,000 killed, including a significant number of children. Gaza now has the largest group of child amputees and is considered the “most dangerous place to be a child”, making up almost half of the death toll.

Impact on Australian School Students [ea2] 

Human rights violations (including torture and massacres) perpetrated by the Israeli Defence Forces have been widely documented on social media, exposing students to real-time footage of the conflict. This exposure causes vicarious trauma, where the distress is severe enough to cause psychological harm. The prevalence of mental health disorders among children and teenagers in Australia is already high and rising, with at least 14% of children aged 4-17 having experienced a mental illness in the past 12 months.

Educational institutions are negatively impacting student mental health and well-being by censoring discussions and humanitarian acts of solidarity with Palestinian children and civilians. This harm is perpetrated through:

Racial Discrimination: [ea3] 

Targeting of students and teachers for Palestinian attire and symbols is racial discrimination, highlighted by the lack of censorship of other global crises, such as Ukraine. Racial discrimination increases anxiety and depression, and lowers self-esteem, in turn negatively impacting academic performance and wellbeing.

Traumatic invalidation: [ea4] 

Students who witness distressing footage will experience further trauma from silencing. Trauma increases the risk of mental health issues and has long-lasting intergenerational effects, especially for children with personal or familial connections to the crisis.

Denial of Culture:

The large Palestinian and Lebanese diaspora in Australia, are marginalised and distressed by rising anti-Arab sentiment and Islamophobia. They suffer from higher baseline rates of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, especially those who are refugees and will be further harmed when schools deny expressions of self-identity.

Call to Action

The mental wellbeing of students is closely linked to their educational experiences. Schools must be safe spaces where students can express their identities and concerns.

1.    Support Demands:

 We support the demands made by the Teachers and School Staff for Palestine NSW to Prue Carr MP (NSW State Minister for Education), Jason Clare MP (Federal Minister for Education), Murat Dizdar (Secretary of the NSW Department of Education), and NSW Premier Chris Minns.

2.   Recommendations for Schools

2.1.         Create Safe and Inclusive Spaces: Foster social cohesion and understanding by facilitating authentic dialogue with students, parents, and teachers.

2.2.         Mental Health Support: Proactively provide information on culturally-appropriate  mental health support services.

2.3.         Teacher Support: Provide teachers with adequate resources to understand and comply with multicultural policies.

3.         Consequences of Inaction Against Censorship:
Provide teachers with adequate resources to understand and comply with multicultural policies.

3.1.         Erosion of Trust: Continued censorship will lead to a loss of faith in educational institutions.

3.2.         Damage to Reputation: Schools will suffer damage to their reputation.

3.3.         Missed Opportunities: Failure to engage young people at a crucial stage of their development.

3.4.         Mental Health Impact:* For the mental health and wellbeing of students, it is essential they are allowed to engage in open discussions and advocate for significant global issues, including the plight of Palestine.

ANZDFP Statement of Concern—The Silencing of Doctors

Published here on Feb 6 2024

Australian and New Zealand Doctors for Palestine (ANZDFP) represent a dedicated group of Australasian medical practitioners committed to upholding the human rights of Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In response to the recent surge in violence exacerbating the longstanding humanitarian crisis and ethnic cleansing in Gaza, ANZDFP has undertaken a commitment to Palestinian advocacy and civic engagement.

We express deep concern over the targeted cyberbullying of doctors engaged in Palestinian advocacy, the majority of whom are ANZDFP members. This malicious targeting takes the form of online harassment by fellow colleagues, employing social media platforms to disseminate non-contextual and misleading commentary. False accusations, such as anti-semitism and support for sexual violence, are propagated alongside incitements to harass. Regrettably, these actions include the unauthorized disclosure of workplace and medical registration details, exacerbating the harm inflicted on the targeted doctors.

ANZDFP strongly condemns this systematic defamation and doxing of doctors, coupled with the “weaponisation” of regulatory complaints. Such tactics aim to instill fear and silence medical practitioners who advocate for the human rights of the Palestinian people.

Additionally, ANZDFP rejects the unwarranted conflation of “anti-semitism” with Palestinian activism. Anti-semitism is abhorrent and counterproductive to the pursuit of Palestinian self-determination. Misuse of the term undermines global anti-racism efforts and impedes progress towards justice.

In light of international proceedings against the state of Israel and the persecution of doctors advocating for Palestinians, we urgently call for the following actions from our professional medical bodies:

  • State and national medical associations must unequivocally denounce Israel’s violations of international law, including war crimes and human rights abuses recognised as plausible genocidal acts by the International Court of Justice. We urge these associations to subscribe to the principles of global medical bodies, particularly the principle of medical neutrality during armed conflicts.
  • Associations should demonstrate non-discriminatory advocacy by extending statements of solidarity and support for Palestinian civilians, internally displaced and under siege, and Palestinian-Australian doctors. This approach aligns with the compassion and humanity displayed towards other persecuted groups, such as Ukrainian-Australian doctors during the Russian-Ukraine war.
  • Professional regulatory bodies, including AHPRA and health commissions, must promptly dismiss and condemn vexatious claims that are poorly defined, groundless, and motivated by differences in political opinion rather than legitimate concerns for clinical safety.
  • The Australian medical community should safeguard the role of doctors as health advocates, ensuring that censorship in medical forums related to the situation in Gaza does not stifle discourse on the socio-political determinants of health.
  • Recognise and address the rise in racism and Islamophobia, especially anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism, within the medical community since October 7th, 2023. Support and increased social awareness for Muslim and Palestinian members are crucial to counter isolation, silencing and attacks.

In conclusion, we emphasise the ethical responsibility of doctors for macro-level advocacy and urge the medical community to support its members, especially those of Palestinian ethnicity facing grief, loss and trauma. It calls for acknowledgment of the rise in racism and Islamophobia within the medical and broader community, seeking increased social awareness and support for affected members.

ANZDFP urges careful consideration and timely action on these matters to minimise ongoing suffering among our medical colleagues and foster unity in addressing these critical issues.

PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday 3rd July 2024

For immediate release

 

EVACUATION OF THE EUROPEAN GAZA HOSPITAL:

AN URGENT CALL TO ACTION FOR THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

 

Australian and New Zealand Doctors for Palestine (ANZDFP) express grave concerns for the patients and medical staff at the European Gaza Hospital, which received immediate evacuation orders earlier today. Among those evacuated is Australian anaesthetist, Dr. Jeremy Hickey.

 

As the last fully functional hospital in the besieged strip, the European Hospital was a critical lifeline for Gaza, treating an estimated 600 inpatients, many with complex medical needs preventing their evacuation.

 

This evacuation and impending attack are violations of international humanitarian law. Unimpeded access to medical care, protection of healthcare workers, and preservation of health service infrastructure are non-negotiable and fundamental human rights.

 

ANZDFP urgently calls on the Australian Government to:

  1. Urgently intervene to protect civilians, healthcare workers and healthcare infrastructure;
  2. Issue a statement to reiterate their unwavering commitment to upholding international humanitarian law which includes the protection of hospitals and healthcare workers; and
  3. Demand a permanent and sustained ceasefire.

 

 

Signed by:

Dr Elizabeth Faraj, Dr Shumaila Noor, Dr Jennifer Martinez, Dr Sana Pathan, Dr Noor Aljassim and Dr Sarah Abdo on behalf of ANZDFP
Contact: advocacy@anzdfp.org

Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand Doctors for Palestine (ANZDFP) works for an Australian policy that supports Palestinian human rights, justice, and equality.

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