Controversial letter from Israeli medical staff
In November 2023, a group of health professionals in Israel published a letter that openly defended the bombing of hospitals in Gaza, arguing that these centers were potential foci of terrorist activity. This statement not only ignores international norms, such as the International Criminal Court Statute of Rome, but also reflects an alarming level of dehumanization towards the Palestinian population. The letter, available in English and Hebrew, highlights a stance that challenges basic democratic principles.
The role of Israeli media
Israel’s media have been charged for years of fostering hate speech and dehumanization against Palestinians. This dynamic contributes to a culture of indifference to the suffering of the Palestinian population, as historian Ilan Pappé and doctor Gabor Maté has indicated. A recent example was the appearance of the Israeli soldier Meir Ben-Hitritit on Channel 14, where he defended rape as a tactic of repression.
Reactions to health cruelty
The response of the Spanish health sector has been surprisingly weak. Eva Mayor, from Health Workers for Palestine Spain, criticized the Barcelona College of Physicians avoiding Gaza Genocide in a statement, while in situations like Ukraine, explicit support and donation campaigns were offered.
Health apartheid: a documented reality
According to the World Health Organization, social health determinants are affected by political and economic conditions. Israel is accused of Apartheid, a reality documented by Amnesty International, who has worked with Palestinian NGOs and Israeli to show this situation for more than sixty years.
Impact of the captive market
Apartheid is financially strengthened by what is known as the captive market, where Israel controls all Palestinian imports and exports. This situation severely limits the access of Palestinian companies to the market, increasing inequalities and vulnerabilities.
The role of medical professionals in the prison system
Israeli prisons are a paradigmatic example of dehumanization. Thousands of Palestinians, including doctors and students, are imprisoned in extremely harsh conditions, as documented in reports by the B’Selem NGO. Psychological and physical torture is a reality for many of them, affecting not only prisoners, but also their families and communities.
Witness
Witnesses of victims such as Amin Shqirat reveal the seriousness of the situation. The presence of doctors during the torture sessions is not only alarming, but also legitimizes a system that violates human rights in a blatant manner.
Reflections on the legitimacy of torture
Experts such as Françoise Sironi and the Gaza Health Collective have stated that torture is not only to obtain information, but it aims to disarticulate the Palestinian resistance. The bombing of hospitals and systematic violence against healthcare staff are strategies for eliminating living conditions in Gaza.
The future of health and human rights in Gaza
The situation in Gaza raises deep issues on human rights and health. The presence of medical staff during the torture acts and the lack of forceful response of the international community show that the path to a just solution is still distant. Reflection on the responsibility of health professionals is more necessary than ever in this context.