Aotearoa Healthcare Workers for Palestine (AHW4P) are stunned at the blatant hypocrisy displayed by the New Zealand
government over attacks on hospitals in conflict zones.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon showed his solidarity with Ukraine, calling out Russia's attacks on a children's
hospital in Kyiv. The double standards are clear given that Luxon has made no public statement about Israel's continued
assaults on Gaza's healthcare system.
"Israel has systematically targeted and destroyed all 36 hospitals in Gaza. It has been relentless and the attacks are
still ongoing", says AHW4P Co-Chair Dr Raisa Ahmed. "Any attack on healthcare is a violation of International
Humanitarian Law and should be condemned, whether it's in Ukraine or Palestine. We ask why Mr Luxon has decided to speak
on Ukraine but remain silent on Gaza."
Last week, the prestigious peer reviewed medical journal The Lancet published findings that the death toll in Gaza due
to the destruction of the healthcare system, malnutrition and disease are likely to be 186,000 or more. This translates
to nearly 8% of the total population and is further evidence of genocide against the Palestinian people, Dr Ahmed says.
Renowned British Surgeon Dr Nick Maynard spoke at AHW4P's AGM on Sunday recounting his experiences in Gaza this year.
"His testimony was devastating to hear”, says Dr Ahmed. “Dr Maynard pointed out that the situation is far worse than we
are aware of.”
AHW4P demands that the New Zealand government abide by its international obligations and act to prevent genocide by
enforcing immediate sanctions on Israel.