Physicians for Human Rights-Israel
PHR-Israel to the PA: Don’t let politics hurt the patients. The PA also has responsibilities to Palestinian patients.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel was founded 17 years ago, and ever since has been involved in the struggle for the
human rights of the Palestinian people. Over the years the organization has struggled with partner associations in the
occupied territories and with individual Palestinian citizens to obtain basic rights and medical services from the
Israeli authorities for the Palestinian people. These rights and services were denied to the people because of the
occupation and closure policies the Israeli authorities implemented. Not always was PHR-Israel successful in its
struggle- various Israeli authorities interfered with the organizations attempts to change policies that violate human
rights. However, the latest part of the struggle is being hampered by the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Since 13 December 2004 the Gaza Strip is under a heavy closure and the Rafah crossing is closed. A special agreement was
reached between the PA and the Israeli authorities regarding pilgrims wishing to observe the Hajj- they were allowed to
leave Gaza via Erez Crossing to Israel and then enter Egypt via the Egyptian Rafah Crossing.
However, due to the closure on the strip, and specifically the closing of the Rafah Crossing, many critically ill
Palestinian patients remained trapped in Gaza and were unable to go to Egypt for treatment that is not available in the
Gaza Strip. Earlier this week, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, on behalf of several Palestinian patients, appealed
to the Israeli High Court, demanding that it solve the patients’ problem so that they would receive the care needed. An
agreement was reached that all severely ill patients would be allowed to leave the Gaza Strip in the same way the Hajj
pilgrims were allowed to leave.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel is suprised and dismayed to discover that the Palestinian Authority is barring these
patients from leaving the Gaza Strip for political reasons. PHR-Israel strongly protests using patients for political
goals, and fighting political struggles at the expense of these people.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel calls upon the Palestinian Authority to immediately change its policy and allow for
these patients to leave the Gaza Strip so that they may receive the medical treatment they require. The struggle to end
the occupation must be handled in a way that does not harm civilians, and especially the ill, in any manner. Physicians
for Human Rights-Israel repeats at this point its opposition to the occupation and all policies which violate human
rights.