Erez Crossing Closed to Patients following Israeli Government Decision to Take Collective Measures Against Civilian Infrastructures in the Gaza Strip.

PHR-Israel, September 21, 2007

The long-term significance of this measure is that most patients in need of care unavailable in Gaza will have no access to appropriate medical care in the West Bank, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, or any other country.

According to information received by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-Israel), Israeli military authorities at Erez Crossing have closed the passage to all but the most “severe and urgent cases”. At least 87 patients in need of care unavailable in Gaza have been denied passage.

Since the only passage into Egypt has been closed since the 9th of June, the long-term significance of this measure is that most patients will have no access to appropriate medical care in the West Bank, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, or any other country.

On the 18th of September, 19 patients who had previously received authorization to exit Gaza via Erez Crossing arrived at the passage, only to be turned back at the last minute. On the 19th of September 31 patients were denied exit, and only 6 others, suffering from leukemia, were permitted entry. 31 other cases previously submitted for consideration by PHR-Israel are also now on hold or officially denied entry.

The patients had been referred to medical centers in the West Bank, Jordan and Israel, and have the financial means (PA referrals) to cover the costs of treatment.

Physicians for Human Rights-Israel had witnessed a tightening of regulations, delays and an increase in appeals for aid from patients even before the 18th of September, ever since the June crisis in Gaza. Limitations were recorded especially, but not exclusively, with regard to cases that posed no threat to life but endangered limbs (e.g., orthopedics and ophthalmology cases).

Erez Crossing authorities have now informed the coordination mechanisms and human rights organizations that from now on only very urgent lifesaving cases will be permitted passage.

Following recent government decisions regarding collective measures against the civilian population in Gaza, such as cutting off electricity and fuel supplies, the State declared that all but the most basic humanitarian needs would be withheld.

Today, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel joined other Israeli human rights organizations in a public letter of protest against such collective measures, stating that these are opposed to international law as well as the principles of humanity and justice.

In addition, PHR-Israel has sent an urgent letter to the Israeli Defense Minister and the Israeli Coordinator of Operations in the Occupied Territories clarifying that the closing of the Crossing contradicts the State’s own undertaking to care for humanitarian needs.

Moreover, in its letter PHR-Israel questioned the State’s distinction between urgent lifesaving care and other medical cases, stating that it is unethical, since it aims to deny rather than ensure access to necessary and available care.

It also stated that the targeting of patients is unacceptable, since they are the weakest segment of society.

PHR-Israel has demanded the immediate access to care of all 87 cases whose details it transferred to the authorities, and demanded that all patients in need of care unavailable in Gaza be permitted to exit Gaza, based solely on medical considerations.

PHR-Israel condemns the Israeli policy of progressively withdrawing responsibility from the civilian population in Gaza, while still controlling most of its sources of sustenance.

PHR-Israel views with alarm the government decision to define Gaza as a “hostile entity” and the resultant penalties against its population, and calls on the Israeli and international public to oppose them.

For further details please contact Miri Weingarten at +972 546 995199 or miri@phr.org.il

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