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: THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT MUST CUT ALL MILITARY TIES WITH ISRAEL, IMPOSE SANCTIONS AND A TWO-WAY ARMS EMBARGO.

As gravely concerned medical professionals watching the violence inflicted upon a civilian population in Gaza, Australia, and New Zealand Doctors for Palestine (ANZDFP) joins the call for an urgent end to Australian military exports to Israel.

It is no secret that the international arms trade fuels conflicts, resulting in immeasurable destruction to human life, health, and other vital infrastructure. Indiscriminate attacks by Israeli forces on Gaza since October 7th, 2023, have killed upward of 36,000 Palestinians, and injured more than 81,000 [1]. Clear breaches of international law and attacks on healthcare have been documented, with over 20 hospitals forced to cease operation and almost 500 healthcare workers killed [2].

We watch the ongoing Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, and further attacks against civilians who have already been forcibly displaced – this is despite a U.N. Security Council resolution supporting an immediate ceasefire and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) calling for a halt to further military operations. Access to critical humanitarian aid has been denied by the Israeli government who enforce a famine on a civilian population, almost half of whom are children.

Data from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) have revealed that Australia exported over $1.5 million worth of ‘arms and ammunition’ to Israel in February 2024 [3].

Earlier this year, U.N experts have urged member States (including Australia) to immediately halt arms transfers to Israel, including export licenses and military aid [4]. Several human rights organisations have repeatedly stressed that the transfer of weapons or ammunition (or their parts) that would be used in Gaza is likely to violate international humanitarian law; this also encompasses military surveillance technology that could be implicated in human rights abuses.

The Australian Government recently awarded a $917 million contract to Israeli arms manufacturer, Elbit Systems – this is despite a history of production of cluster munitions and supplying weapons and technology which further Israel’s apartheid policies towards Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank [5]. 322 defence export permits to Israel have been approved by the Australian Department of Defence since the start of 2017, and there is a lack of transparency surrounding specifics of the exports and uses of equipment by third parties [6]. There is a lack of clarity about whether Australian manufactured components of Lockheed-Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets are being used by the Israeli Defence Force to commit war crimes [7]. DFAT data has also demonstrated that Australia has exported more than $10 million worth of ‘arms and ammunition’ to Israel over the past five years [8].

As doctors who witness the devastating impact of conflict on health and its infrastructure, we cannot remain silent while our own government is complicit in the ongoing genocide and human rights violations of the Palestinian people.

It is time for Australia to align its actions with its stated desire for an immediate ceasefire.

We note examples of other countries who have suspended arms transfers and military exports to Israel including the Netherlands, Spain, and Belgium [4]. We have welcomed previous Australian policies which have imposed military sanctions on nations such as Russia and Myanmar in cases of contravention of international law. We, along with countless Australian healthcare professionals, implore the Australian Government to apply those same principles to reassess its military exports policies, cut all military ties, and apply sanctions and a two-way arms embargo on Israel.

THE RED LINE, DOES IT EXIST?

Gaza Death Toll Continues to Rise at Unprecedented Rate, With Little To No Action Taken By International Leaders

For Immediate Release: Joint Statement by Members of the Gaza Health Initiative

Written by: Michelle Nemati

July 17, 2024

On May 5th, 2024 Israel instructed a displaced civilian population of 1.2 million people in Rafah to evacuate to Al-Mawasi, a small sliver of sandy land located in western Rafah. By May 6th, 2024 the Israeli army began its military offensive into Rafah, despite international leaders – including President Biden, warning against this action; prompting the United Nations (UN) to issue a court order demanding an “immediate halt” of any further invasion. ⁽⁷⁾

Currently attacks on healthcare workers, hospitals, schools, and displaced civilians by Israeli military forces continues at an exceedingly alarming rate, long after the “red line” of a Rafah invasion has been crossed, with little to no action to be taken by international leaders.

The purpose of this statement is to outline the following objectives –

I. Humanitarian crisis update regarding healthcare and medical services.

II. Detrimental effects of further attacks to the healthcare system and facilities; focusing on (a) disruption of access to essential treatments, and (b) review of death toll.

III. Recent attacks on civilian populations, and local facilities since Israels military offensive in Rafah.

IV. Violations of International Humanitarian Law by the state of Israel and its military, referencing South Africa’s case at the ICJ.

V. Action Item – A call to the international community and particularly to the G7 bodies, demanding the following (1) End any further weapon shipments to Israel (2) Enforce an open humanitarian corridor to provide sufficient aid (3) An immediate ceasefire in compliance with UN court order.

Humanitarian Crisis Update

Reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) released on June 6th, 2024, that there are currently approximately 86,000 injured civilians in Gaza, with at least 10,000 still missing and thought to be under the rubble of destroyed buildings.

The majority of the population currently resides in its southern region, unable to return to the North given continued military operations.

Rafah: No functional hospitals, jeopardizing the right to seek essential medical services and health of over 90,000 Gazans residing there.
Khan Younis: Al-Khair Hospital restored partial functionality, providing limited basic emergency and nursing services.
- Closure of the Rafah crossing with Egypt has completely halted medical evacuation of patients since 7 May, with approximately 3,500 patients (50 patients/day average) being unable to evacuate during this period.
- Southern governorate consists of only 3 ICU patient beds for a population of approximately 350,000 displaced people.

North governorate: No fully functional hospitals. Only partial accessibility to Al-Awda, Kamal Adwan and Indonesian hospitals, due to extensive road damages, following military withdrawal on 31 May.
- Al-Awda Hospital (40 beds, providing emergency, maternity, surgical, & inpatient services), is partially accessible after 10 days of inaccessibility.
- Kamal Adwan Hospital (144 beds) resumed partial functionality, providing emergency and inpatient services.
- Indonesian Hospital resumed partial functionality on 1 June, providing basic emergency services

Out of 12,760 cases requested for medical evacuation, 4,895 (38%) have been evacuated, so far. An estimated 17,000 patients require medical evacuation, with the figure expected to increase considering the diminishing capacity of the health system compounded by the ongoing escalation.
As of the end of May, the UN estimates that more than one million Gazans have been displaced.
UNRWA has stated that all their 36 shelters in Rafah are now empty.
No EMT presence in Rafah and Northern Gaza Valley due to the deteriorating security situation.

(Source: oPT Emergency Situation Update, World Health Organization (WHO)) (1)

Healthcare Facilities

Previous reports, published April 2024, outlined the limited access to medical facilities, due to attacks on hospitals. It was noted that only a handful of healthcare structures remained functional in the southern governance of the Gaza strip including European Gaza Hospital, Al-Awda Hospital, Mohammed Yousef Al-Najjar Hospital, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Jordan Field Hospital, Kuwaiti Hospital, Kamal Adwan Hospital. This report additionally outlined the importance of maintaining these facilities given the large population of displaced people residing in those areas, and the unique functions of each hospital. ⁽⁴⁾

Since then, Al-Najjar Hospital and Kuwaiti Hospital located in Rafah, received evacuation orders and are no longer operating. European Gaza Hospital, and Al-Alhi Arab Hospital located in Khan Younis, have either run out of fuel or were instructed to evacuate as well. ⁽¹¹⁾

Access To Essential Medical Treatment

Disease Outbreaks

Severe overcrowding due to continued displacement in the Gaza strip has caused a major increase of serious epidemics. This, compounded by the closure of additional medical facilities, closure of the Rafah crossing causing a decrease of incoming humanitarian aid, and increased military aggressions within both the northern and southern portions of the Gaza Strip; have caused a dramatic spike in respiratory tract infections, hepatitis, lice, acute diarrhea, scabies, and other diseases.

Recent numbers reported as of June 2024 indicate the following;

865,157 cases of acute respiratory infections
93,690 cases of scabies and lice
81,795 cases of acute jaundice syndrome
485,315 cases of diarrhea, <5 year of age: 113,687
Observed fluctuations in weekly trend of acute watery diarrhea, with over 14,000 cases reported in week 21, a 4% increase compared to the previous week.
Over 4,700 cases of acute jaundice syndrome were reported in week 21, a relatively similar figure compared to the previous week

(Source: oPT Emergency Situation Update, World Health Organization (WHO)) (1),(4))

In addition, the Gaza Health Ministry’s latest report on July 17th, 2024 announces that tests were conducted for sewage samples in coordination with UNICEF. Results showed the presence of the virus responsible for Polio. The presence of the virus that causes polio in the sewage that collects and runs between the tents of the displaced and in the places where the population is located as a result of the destruction of the infrastructure represents a new health disaster, as there is severe congestion with the scarcity of available water and its contamination with sewage and the accumulation of tons of garbage and preventing the occupation to enter hygiene materials, which constitutes a suitable environment for the spread of various epidemics.

The monitoring of the polio virus in sewage threatens a real health catastrophe and puts thousands of people at risk of polio, and calls on the Ministry of Health to immediately stop the Israeli aggression, provide usable water, repair sewage lines and end the overcrowding of people in places of displacement.

Review Of Death Toll

By June 19, 2024, 37,396 people had been killed in the Gaza Strip since the Israeli invasion in October

2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, as reported by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Collecting data is becoming increasingly difficult for the Gaza Health Ministry due to the destruction of much of the infrastructure and healthcare personnel; this has inevitably degraded the detailed data recorded previously. ⁽³⁾

Consequently, the Gaza Health Ministry now reports separately the number of unidentified bodies among the total death toll. As of May 10, 2024, 30% of the 35,091 deaths were unidentified; furthermore, the UN estimates that, by Feb 29, 2024, 35% of buildings in the Gaza Strip had been destroyed, so the number of bodies still buried in the rubble is likely substantial, with estimates of more than 10,000. ^(2,3)

Considering this alongside the geospatial data, large bombs used in densely populated areas, and statements from Israeli military officials and politicians, we are left with strong reasons to believe that particularly no significant attempts are being made to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza. ⁽³⁾

We can therefore objectively estimate that given the spike in military aggressions, decrease of operational healthcare facilities, decrease of medical supplies, treatment and healthcare personnel, and severe shortage of food, water and shelter that the death toll is far higher than those previously reported. ^(3,4,9)

Moreover, it should be noted that armed conflicts have indirect health implications beyond the direct harm from violence. Considering preventable deaths caused by the complete shortage of medical resources, there will continue to be many indirect deaths in the coming months and years from causes such as reproductive, communicable, and non-communicable diseases. A recent publication states, “it is not implausible to estimate that up to 186,000 or even more deaths could be attributable to the current conflict in Gaza”. ^(3,4)

Military Attacks and Escalation

As previously mentioned, the Israeli army began its military offensive in Rafah beginning May 7th, causing a mass casualty event that consisted of innocent civilians to be burned alive while sheltering in tents behind the UNRWA HQ. Attacks on civilian populations and local infrastructure have only increased since then, which include the following:

May 26th, 2024: Israeli aircrafts bombed displacement tents, killing 45 Palestinians, including three elderly people, nine children, and 12 women ⁽¹⁵⁾
May 28th, 2024: Euro-Med Monitor field team documents the killing of seven civilians, including four women, after Israeli aircraft again bombed displacement tents in the Tal Al-Sultan area, west of the city of Rafah ⁽¹⁵⁾
June 8th, 2024: Nuseirat massacre, Deir el-Balah. Israeli military operations kill 274 Palestinians, including children, with over 500 injured – during a raid to retrieve 4 Israeli hostages. ⁽¹⁶⁾

June 13th, 2024: At least 90 people have been killed and 300 wounded in an Israeli air attack on the al-Mawasi refugee camp, an Israeli-designated “safe zone” ⁽¹²⁾
July 7th, 2024: Bombing of an UNRWA school housing two thousand displaced people in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip. UNRWA Director General Philippe Lazzarini called for a ceasefire, adding, “More than half (or 190) of UNRWA facilities have been hit, killing 520 people and wounding nearly 1,600 others” ⁽⁵⁾
July 11th, 2024: Israel bombards Gaza City, killing at least 26 civilians ⁽¹³⁾
July 16th, 2024: Israeli strikes in southern, central Gaza – including “safe zone” kills more than 60 Palestinians ⁽¹⁴⁾

Violations Of International Humanitarian Law

Targeting of medical institutions, hospitals, and primary health care clinics is a clear violation of international humanitarian law (IHL) under Article 19 outlined in the Geneva Conventions. Recent studies observe the pattern of damage to medical buildings compared to non-medical buildings in Gaza and conducted a geospatial analysis of infrastructure damage between 7 October and 7 November 2023, and found no convincing evidence that medical complexes were spared bombing damage relative to non-medical buildings. Of 167,292 buildings assessed for damage, including 106 medical complexes 9% of both medical and non-medical buildings were damaged during the first month of bombardment. More recently, OCHA oPT have reported that >60% of residential buildings and >80% of commercial facilities are reported damaged in Gaza. ^(2,19)

The articles below highlight direct charters that the Israeli government has been accused of violating per the Geneva Conventions, International Humanitarian Law. These violations are in reference to the denial of humanitarian aid, use of starvation as a weapon of war, discriminatory practices based on ethnicity in the context of occupation, attacks on protected facilities such as hospitals and schools, and the collective targeting and punishment of an entire civilian population. ^(5,8)

IHL UN charter, Volume I1, Rule 53: “The use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare is prohibited.
IHL UN charter Article 10, Additional Protocol I, Rule 110: “The wounded, sick and shipwrecked must receive, to the fullest extent practicable and with the least possible delay, the medical care and attention required by their condition. No distinction may be made among them founded on any grounds other than medical ones”
IHL UN charter Article 12, Additional Protocol I, Rule 28: “Medical units exclusively assigned to medical purposes must be respected and protected in all circumstances. They lose their protection if they are being used, outside their humanitarian function, to commit acts harmful to the enemy”
IHL UN charter Article 4, Rule 88: “Adverse distinction in the application of international humanitarian law based on race, color, sex, language, religion or belief, political or other opinion, national or social origin, wealth, birth or other status, or on any other similar criteria is prohibited”

IHL UN charter Article 23, Rule 55: “The parties to the conflict must allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need, which is impartial in character and conducted without any adverse distinction”

(Source: United Nations Rules of International, Geneva Convention: ICRC, (17))

On December 29, 2023, South Africa brought a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague over allegations of genocide against the Palestinian people. ^(8.18)

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which defined genocide as any of five “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group”. The acts were: killing members of the protected group, causing them serious bodily or mental harm, imposing living conditions intended to destroy the group, preventing births, and forcibly transferring children out of the protected group. Victims must be targeted because of their real or perceived membership of a protected national, ethnic, racial or religious group. ⁽⁸⁾

On May 24, 2024, the court ruled that continuing the ongoing Rafah offensive would constitute a violation of the Palestinians’ right for safety and therefore must cease immediately. Judge Nawaf Salam said the court sees the situation in Rafah as “disastrous” and “Israel must immediately halt its military offensive and any other action in Rafah which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part”. Israel denounced the ICJ and said its assault on Rafah does not need to be halted because it does not pose an unlawful threat to civilians. ^(8.18)

Call To Action

Given the Israeli government disregard for International Law as stated in the Geneva Conventions, and unwillingness to comply with the provisional measures as instructed by the United Nations, and International Court of Justice – we write this joint statement with the explicit request that the United States, along with its allies, and G7 leaders cease any further action to send additional weapons and supplies for continued military operations, as these weapons have routinely been used to inflict genocidal action towards a civilian population.

Moreover, we note with utter concern and condemnation that at least 500 Palestinian healthcare workers (HCW) have been killed during the attacks, numerous have been abducted, and a number of our colleagues have reported harrowing tales of brutal torture while under Israeli detention. We demand international protection of Gaza’s civilian healthcare (hospitals and primary healthcare) as well as of the HCW staff in Gaza. We also note that the backbone of healthcare during this unimaginably dramatic, man-made health crisis has been delivered by the local, Palestinian health care workers of all types and specialties.

We call upon international institutions and leaders to prioritize the protection of Gaza’s remaining civilian population. We declare the need for an immediate halt to all military operations, and the delivery of unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza without exception; in order to prevent further loss of civilian life, and devastation brought upon Gaza’s fragile healthcare system.

In the event that the United States, its allies, and G7 leaders continue to support the Israeli governments continued acts of genocide – one must be concerned that the International Security Council may invoke Article 6 of the UN Charter Stating: A Member of the United Nations which has persistently violated the principles contained in the present Charter may be expelled from the Organization by the General Assembly.

– The following organizations stand in solidarity in endorsing the above statement –

**insert logos here**

Sources:

oPT Emergency Situation Update, issue 33, World Health Organization (WHO))
Wispelwey, B., Mills, D., Asi, Y. M., Hammoudeh, W., Kunichoff, D., & Ahmed, A. K. (2024). Civilian mortality and damage to medical facilities in Gaza https://gh.bmj.com/content/9/5/e014756.full
Khatib, R., McKee, M., & Yusuf, S. (2024). Counting the dead in Gaza: difficult but essential. The Lancet. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01169-3/fulltext

Nemati, M., Hatoum, M., (2024). IN DEFENSE OF GAZA’S REMAINING HOSPITALS; An Urgent Appeal for Protection of Gaza’s Remaining Healthcare Facilities Amidst Ongoing Attacks. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/656c4ff5b219116063f8099e/t/666dc5e0af310f4a7f9f961d/1718470113024/Joi nt+Statement_IN+DEFENSE+OF+GAZA%E2%80%99S+REMAINING+HOSPITALS_April+30_2024.pdf
Issa, R., Kharouf, N., Allawh, N., Alisaa, S., (2024). Palestine’s Legal Scene. https://law4palestine.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Palestine-Legal-Scene-Issue-236.pdf
Israel/Gaza: UN experts deplore attacks on Al-Shifa Hospital, urge States to stop the massacre https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2024/04/israelgaza-un-experts-deplore-attacks-al-shifa-hospitalurge-states

Israel Continues Gaza Attacks Despite UN Court Order To ‘Immediately Halt’ Rafah Offensive. (2024) Radio Free Europe. https://www.rferl.org/a/gaza-israel-attacks-rafah-un-court/32963140.html
South Africa’s genocide case against Israel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa%27s_genocide_case_against_Israel

UNICEF, Humanitarian Situation Report No. 27, State of Palestine. https://www.unicef.org/sop/media/4076/file/UNICEF%20State%20of%20Palestine%20%20Humanitarian%20Situat ion%20Report%20No.%2027%20-%2013%20June%202024.pdf.pdf
AP News: The war in Gaza has wiped out entire Palestinian families. AP documents 60 who lost dozens or more. https://apnews.com/article/gaza-palestinians-families-israel-war-deaths-a9f8bcfe402c17f1f78903eae67b7a7d
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) Update on the hospital situation in Gaza: (May 2024.) https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/medical-aid-palestinians-map-update-hospital-situation-gaz a-13-may-2024-1240

AlJazeera: Israeli attack on al-Mawasi kills at least 90 people: Some 300 people were also wounded in the attack on the al-Mawasi camp, a designated ‘safe zone’. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/7/13/israeli-air-raid-on-al-mawasi-kills-90-people-what-we-know-so-far
Al-Mughrabi, N., Abu-Alkas, D., Israel bombards Gaza City in one of the fiercest weeks of war, killing 26. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/bodies-trapped-gaza-city-under-israeli-assault-mediators-push-truce -2024-07-11/

Shurafa, W., Israeli strikes in southern, central Gaza kill more than 60 Palestinians, including in ‘safe zone’ https://www.ktsm.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-israeli-strikes-across-gaza-kill-more-than-30-as-the-sides-weigh-th e-latest-cease-fire-proposal/
Gaza: Less than 30 hours after its first massacre, Israel bombs more displaced civilians in Rafah. (2024) Euromed. https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/gaza-less-30-hours-after-its-first-massacre-israel-bombs-m ore-displaced-civilians-rafah-enar

AlJazeera: Israel’s Nuseirat massacre and Gaza’s wounds that won’t heal https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/6/21/israels-nuseirat-massacre-and-gazas-wounds-that-wont-heal
ICRC: Rules of International Law. https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/customary-ihl/v1
International Court of Justice. https://www.icj-cij.org/index.php/case/192
World Bank, Jan.2024 https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/westbankandgaza

Protect children in Gaza: open letter from Physicians for Human Rights Israel

The Medical Association for Prevention of War (MAPW) Australia, and Australian and New Zealand Doctors for Palestine (ANZDFP), have endorsed an open letter led by Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHR Israel).

The protection and welfare of children must transcend politics. Doctors and other health workers from many countries are uniting to strongly support our medical colleagues in Israel in their call for urgent action for the children of Gaza.

PHR Israel writes: “We, medical and health organizations, associations, and workers, are deeply alarmed by the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe facing children in Gaza, exacerbated by relentless bombardments and systemic blockades imposed by Israel. This crisis demands immediate and decisive action from the international community to prevent further loss of life and to address the dire and immediate needs of Gaza’s most vulnerable population—children.”

UNICEF Global Spokesperson James Elder described Gaza as “the most dangerous place to be a child”. Over 14,000 children are estimated to have been killed since October 7, thousands more have been injured, and at least 17,000 are unaccompanied or separated from their parents. 90 per cent of Gaza’s population are displaced, half of them children, and lack adequate access to water, food, fuel, and medicine.

We urge other child health organisations to join us in signing PHR Israel’s letter.

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:

Urgently intervene to protect civilians, healthcare workers and healthcare infrastructure;
Issue a statement to reiterate their unwavering commitment to upholding international humanitarian law which includes the protection of hospitals and healthcare workers; and
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

ANZDFP Statement on Evacuation Orders in Northern Gaza

11/10/2024

For the urgent attention of:

AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen, and:

ACEM President Dr Stephen Gourley, CICM President A/Prof Kruger, RACS President A/Prof Kerin Fielding, RACP President Prof Jennifer Martin, RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins, RANZCP President Dr Elizabeth Moore, ANZCA President Prof David Story, RANZCOG President Dr Gillian Gibson, RANZCO President Grant Raymond, RACMA President Dr Erwin Loh, ACD President Dr Adriene Lee, RCPA President Prof Trishe Leong, ACSEP President Dr Corey Cunningham, RANZCR President Prof John Slavotinek

Dear Dr McMullen, and Presidents of Australasian Medical Colleges,

We, the Australian & New Zealand Doctors for Palestine (ANZDFP), urgently request that our medical colleges and associations take immediate action to prevent the forced evacuation of three hospitals in northern Gaza by Israeli forces. Representing over 1,000 doctors across various specialties, we are calling for a strong and unified response to this critical medical emergency.

The recent report from Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), titled “New Evacuation Orders Worsen the Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza” (October 8, 2024), details the dire situation:

“Israeli forces have called for the evacuation of three main hospitals in northern Gaza: Indonesian, Kamal Adwan, and Al-Awda hospitals. Operating at minimal capacity, these facilities currently care for 317 patients, with approximately 80 in intensive care and unable to move, according to the Ministry of Health. Each time a medical facility is evacuated or attacked, patients lose access to lifesaving medical care.”

As medical professionals, we understand the fatal consequences of abandoning patients in intensive care who rely on ongoing, life-saving treatments. It is virtually impossible to transfer 80 critically ill patients in a war zone, especially when no other properly functioning hospitals are available to receive them. In our Australian healthcare system, accomplishing such a transfer would require extraordinary resources and coordination, even under ideal circumstances—something the Israeli forces have set as a 24-hour timeframe for hospital directors in Gaza. Tragically, the most vulnerable patients—the immobile and critically ill—will be left behind and face certain death.

We cannot forget the horrific consequences of forced evacuations. In November 2023, Israeli forces ordered the evacuation of Al-Nasr Hospital, leading to the abandonment of several patients, including children on ventilators in the paediatric intensive care unit. These individuals were left to die in unimaginable circumstances. As healthcare professionals working within a system that prioritizes 1:1 care for ventilated patients, we find it incomprehensible to even consider the idea of abandoning a patient in such critical need.

We urge you to read more about the tragic events at Al-Nasr Hospital in this CNN article: Al-Nasr Hospital Incident.

The principle of medical neutrality is enshrined in International Humanitarian Law. The current evacuation order represents a direct violation of this principle, which protects hospitals, patients, and healthcare workers. Remaining silent as these violations occur cannot be seen as impartiality; instead, it enables further injustice against our medical colleagues and their patients in Gaza.

As medical professionals, we are obligated to uphold ethical principles, which must supersede political considerations and legal frameworks. The World Medical Association emphasizes the importance of these ethical commitments, and we expect our medical associations and colleges to uphold such high standards. Silence in the face of injustice contravenes our ethical obligations of non-maleficence and justice.

Justice is a universal principle that cannot be divorced from the injustices occurring in distant regions. We must actively intervene and advocate to prevent harm to patients in northern Gaza, practicing our commitment to non-maleficence.

Australia is known for its exceptional healthcare system, and we take pride in maintaining these high standards. We call upon our medical associations and colleges to demonstrate true leadership in this matter by upholding the pillars of ethics and advocating urgently.

We request that you contact our federal government, urging them to apply diplomatic pressure on Israel to ensure the protection of Indonesian, Kamal Adwan, and Al-Awda Hospitals, along with all patients, healthcare workers, and civilians within them. Strong advocacy efforts, including sanctions and embargoes, must be implemented to hold Israel accountable for its violations of medical neutrality.

By advocating for this urgent action, our medical institutions can help politicians grasp the gravity of this situation. Your efforts will also convey solidarity to our besieged healthcare colleagues in Gaza and the broader Palestinian community here in Australia.

We look forward to your swift response to this pressing matter. The unlawful evacuation orders represent a medical emergency, and we ask that you treat it as such.

Please feel free to contact us at any time for further discussion or clarification. We are eager to assist and collaborate with our medical associations and colleges in advocacy efforts.

Kind regards,

Australian & New Zealand Doctors for Palestine (ANZDFP)