Vital to speak up on Gaza

It is easy to look at the horror unfolding in Gaza with a sense of helplessness. But speaking up is more important than ever. This is what Irish healthcare workers are increasingly doing. 

Last month, Irish Health Care Workers for Palestine held a press briefing, which called for urgent action against Israel’s assault on Gaza.

Speakers called on the Irish Government and professional bodies to take concrete measures, including ethical procurement practices, enacting the Occupied Territories Bill, and holding violators of international law accountable. The event underscored the moral duty of healthcare professionals to stand up for justice and the protection of human life.

Healthcare representative bodies have also raised the issue on different occasions. The President of the IMO Dr Anne Dee recently wrote to the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, in which she expressed serious concern about the “mass starvation” that has arisen from the deliberate blockade of aid going into Gaza by the State of Israel. While criticising the killings carried out by Hamas, she demanded that Israel be held to account.

The IHCA has also repeatedly called for the protection and safety of civilians and health workers in Gaza.

A feature in this issue of the Medical Independent outlines in more detail some of the demands Irish doctors are making in response to the crisis (click here). And in this issue, we publish a powerful open letter by Irish-trained doctors to the World Medical Association on the issue. Doctors have a powerful voice – it is essential they make themselves heard.

Click here to see open letter to World Medical Association