Saskia Verbunt on LinkedIn: **Private post** To anyone based in Netherlands working in healthcare or… (2024)

APARTHEID in every sector has a goal, namely, to make life so difficult for the Palestinians that they abandon their land. Let's keep in mind whose public sector and private sector money has been funding apartheid that Israel has imposed on the Palestinians. Yet, it is the Palestinians who are the 'animals' while those imposing and funding apartheid are civilized. From 1480, when the Portuguese were the first Europeans to form the colonial antecedents in Africa, to the present, the civilized West has delivered the greatest destruction in the history of human civilization, yet, in the name of civilization! Technology has afforded mass killers a distance from their victims, while the corporate media filters mass murder for the cathartic use of Western Civilization audiences.

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The current situation in Gaza is dire, as the steps taken by the occupying forces are leading to the destruction of the Palestinian people. The hospitals in Gaza have declared that they are no longer able to provide medical care due to the devastating bombardment by the occupying state. The healthcare system in Gaza is now inoperable, leaving the wounded and injured without proper medical attention. This systematic destruction, through armed aggression and blockade, amounts to a genocidal act against the people of Gaza. In the face of these atrocities, where is the conscience of the world?Destruction of Hospitals:The targeting and destruction of hospitals in Gaza is a grave violation of international humanitarian law. By rendering the hospitals non-functional, the occupying forces are denying the wounded and injured access to essential medical care. This deliberate act exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and adds to the suffering of the Palestinian people.A Broken Healthcare System:The healthcare system in Gaza, already strained due to years of occupation and blockade, is now completely incapacitated. The destruction of medical infrastructure, such as clinics and ambulances, further cripples the ability to provide essential healthcare services to the population. This situation highlights the deliberate efforts to undermine the well-being of the people of Gaza.Genocidal Measures:The combination of armed aggression and a suffocating blockade imposed on Gaza amounts to a genocidal act against its population. The intentional destruction of infrastructure, denial of medical care, and the collective punishment inflicted on the people of Gaza all contribute to this alarming reality. Such actions not only violate international law but also disregard the value of human life.

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#Azerbaijan deliberately hinders the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC — May 10, 2023Since the installation of the illegal checkpoint on the #Goris-#Stepanakert highway near the #Hakari_Bridge on April 23, Azerbaijan has been artificially obstructing the normal operation of the International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC in Nagorno-Karabakh, by which the Azerbaijani side not only violates the provisions of the international humanitarian law, but also the agreement reached during the #blockade on the transfer to #Armenia of the persons in extremely serious health condition. Thus, Azerbaijan directly ignores the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (#ECHR) of December 21, 2022, obliging it to take all necessary and sufficient measures to ensure the movement of seriously ill persons in need of medical treatment in Armenia through the “#Lachin_Corridor”.During this time, the #ICRC transported patients only twice: on April 28 (13 patients) and on April 29 (16 patients). Since April 29, with the mediation of the #ICRC, the transfer of patients to medical institutions of the Republic of Armenia has completely stopped. According to the information received by the Human Rights Defender's Office, the #Azerbaijani side has put forward additional conditions, demanding to check the #ICRC cars transporting patients, as well as the passports of the #ICRC employees and patients, thus, violating the agreements reached earlier. According to the information received from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Artsakh, 30 patients in extremely serious condition are waiting for urgent transfer.Azerbaijan deliberately prevents the supply of essential #medicines to Artsakh through the #ICRC, as a result of which serious problems arise in medical institutions of Artsakh.The Azerbaijani side, pursuing the goal of total isolation of Artsakh, is undertaking deliberate actions, aimed at hindering the activities of even #humanitarian organisations in Artsakh, putting forward additional artificial demands.Azerbaijan is not ready to take a constructive position even on the matters of humanitarian nature, does not miss the opportunity to intimidate the peaceful population and deepen their physical and psychological suffering caused by the blockade, deliberately deepening the humanitarian crisis.Azerbaijan's behavior directly contradicts the international #law and the principles of humanism, which should be clearly condemned by international organisations and the #human_rights community.We expect practical intervention by international structures in the settlement of this urgent humanitarian issue.— Gegham StepanyanArtsakh #Ombudsman

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"... what are the rules of war in terms of health care?The rules, known asinternational humanitarian law, are designed to limit harm to non-combatants in war; they are distinct from the law regarding the legitimacy of going to war. The rules aim to protect civilians, wounded and sick soldiers, health and humanitarian workers, and prisoners of war.Civilians may not be attacked or taken hostage. In their targeting, combatants must distinguish between civilian and military objects and take precautions to avoid hitting hospitals and other civilian structures. Even when the target is a military one, combatants must take precautions to avoid or at least limit harm to civilians. The rules also prohibitattacks on objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population.Conflicts in densely populated areas do not obviate these duties. ...Intentional attacks on civilians and collective punishment are each war crimes. Grave violations of the rules, such as targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure, taking hostages, or starving the population, are war crimes. ...What specific rules apply to health and humanitarian needs?The foundational requirement of the rules is to respect and protect the wounded and sick, health providers, hospitals and other health facilities, and ambulances and other medical transports.Intentional attacks on them are war crimes.The law also includes a duty not to interfere with or obstruct health care, such as blocking the passage of ambulances seeking to evacuate the wounded and sick. ...Occupying powers have additional obligations to ensure that populations living in occupied territory have adequate access to health services and public health measures. International authorities as well as the State Department consider Gaza to be occupied because of Israel’s control of airspace, territorial waters, entry and exit of people, and water and electricity....What are other immediate concerns?Gaza’s health infrastructure and its capacity to treat traumatic injuries were weak before the war because of Israel’s blockade and the impact of past conflicts in this century. Israel’scut-off of electricity and fuel, and only partial restoration of water to Gaza, along with damage from airstrikes, hasforcedclosure of multiple hospitalsat a time of enormous need. In my view, the denial of key utilities to the population amounts to collective punishment.The prevalence of psychological trauma from the Hamas attacks in Israel and from the experience of airstrikes in Gaza is likely to be very high, including among children, who compose almost half the population of Gaza....Len Rubenstein, JD, is a Distinguished Professor of the Practice and the interim director of theCenter for Public Health and Human Rightsat the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health."https://lnkd.in/gadqKsic

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How to the laws of war apply to health care and humanitarian access in Gaza? Brief Q and A I wrote is here https://lnkd.in/epz4Ttf5

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How can anyone make arguments that Israel can do this? And our governments should support this?"A land without a people, for a people without a land." The greatest lie ever told, the harrowing consequences of which we are still seeing today.Short trailer of Israeli documentary interviews with Tantura massacre war criminals:https://lnkd.in/gA3syUbZTantura massacre war criminals talk about rape:https://lnkd.in/eBRcz_7TShort video of an elderly Israeli woman explaining her part and regret over the Beersheba expulsion: https://lnkd.in/eYWnHUQHMohamed Hadid explaining his family's expulsion from Saffad in 1948:https://lnkd.in/esndwekuI have been reading and learning about Israel and Palestine since I was 16/17 years old and have learnt what the news fails to tells us.Anyone watching the news could be forgiven for thinking this is just land that has been fought over for millennia and Muslims and Jews just hate each other.But antisemitism was a European sin, not an Arab one. Muslims and Jews lived as neighbours in the land before Israel was created:https://lnkd.in/e4BRcvpGWithout context, without being told how in 1948 Israel was born of violence, continues to expand through violence and oppressed those it has displaced, the news often just does reports on when there is a flare up.This time round I have noticed a slight difference. I'm not going to pretend it's balanced, far from it and still providing cover for Israel, but I've noticed more pro-Palestinian voices invited to speak, though often cut off, talked over and most troubling, the conversation is always framed from a point of view where it is demanded they condemn Hamas' like it's ALL their fault and no one condemns Israel.And the presenter always manages to frame it as it's unfortunate but inevitably civilians will die in Israeli bombings, like the bombings are unavoidable and Israel has NO CHOICE. This is a LIE.They have helped create this narrative and it is what is JUSTIFYING the killing.The occupation does not justify Hamas killing Israeli civilians and taking them hostage.Hamas' attack does not justify Israel refusing to de-escalate and killing Palestinian civilians and their Israeli hostages.This is madness and that not a single voice with power is stepping up to stop this is horror. Other than the UN Chief who Israel promptly falsely accused or blood libel. 🤯 Literally insane.Never again, means never again for everyone.#PermanentlyCeasefire#EndTheOccupation#EndTheEthnicCleansing#EndGenocideA #FreePalestine will free Israel too.Without the occupation, these two people can live together.Either in two separate states, along the pre-1967 lines, as neighbouring sovereign states.Or one state, not Palestine, not Israel, the Holy Land? One equal vote for one person, no apartheid laws.(continued in comments...)

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Israel attack on Al-Shifa Hospital: Violation of international Law, Human Rights, Red Crescent Charter and UNO CharterThe recent Israeli attack on Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza represents a glaring violation of international law, human rights, the Red Crescent Charter, and the UN Charter, shaking the foundations of humanitarian principles and endangering innocent lives.Firstly, this assault blatantly defies international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of hospitals and medical facilities as sanctuaries for the wounded and sick during armed conflicts. Deliberate attacks on such vital infrastructure are unequivocally prohibited under the Geneva Conventions, constituting reprehensible war crimes.Moreover, the attack on Al-Shifa Hospital flagrantly disregards fundamental human rights, including the right to life and health. By indiscriminately targeting a medical facility, Israel has endangered the lives of patients, medical personnel, and civilians in need of urgent medical care, violating universally recognized standards of human dignity and equality.Furthermore, this egregious act undermines the principles of the Red Crescent Charter, which upholds the impartiality, neutrality, and humanity of humanitarian aid. Al-Shifa Hospital, bearing the Red Crescent emblem, stood as a beacon of hope and healing for those affected by conflict. Its deliberate targeting not only endangers lives but also erodes trust in humanitarian operations, threatening the integrity of relief efforts in crisis zones.Additionally, the assault on Al-Shifa Hospital represents a direct violation of the UN Charter, which enshrines principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful dispute resolution. By disregarding these foundational principles, Israel has further escalated tensions and perpetuated cycles of violence, destabilizing the region and undermining prospects for peace and security.In conclusion, the Israeli attack on Al-Shifa Hospital is a grave affront to international norms and principles, imperiling innocent lives and exacerbating human suffering in conflict zones. The international community must unequivocally condemn these violations and hold the perpetrators accountable. Urgent efforts are needed to ensure the protection of civilians, uphold humanitarian principles, and advance the cause of peace and justice in conflict-affected areas. Only through concerted action can we prevent further atrocities and restore hope for a future free from violence and oppression.

“Border closure only increased precariousness”: a qualitative analysis of the effects of restrictive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic on Venezuelan’s health and human rights in South AmericaOpen Access Article on BMC Public HealthSehr informativer Artikel. Gutes Überblick, nachvollziehbare Ergebnisse. Zitat "this study has shown that restrictive migration policies at borders do not prevent people from crossing through irregular points but do increasethe consequences of the precarious crossing conditions and escalates the costs that the receiving country has to cover."https://lnkd.in/epv_rg-Y

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The situation in Gaza has been a cause of grave concern for human rights defenders around the world. The ongoing conflict, restrictions on freedom of movement, access to basic necessities like food, water, and healthcare have caused immense suffering to civilians in Gaza. I strongly advocate for protecting the rights of people living there by urging governments and international bodies to exert pressure on all parties involved to uphold international humanitarian law and ensure peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomatic measures. We cannot afford to let their plight go unaddressed any longer, and it's crucial that we collectively work towards creating a just peace in Gaza. Addressing human rights challenges like the one in Gaza requires constant engagement and awareness-raising among global communities. We need more people like you who are concerned about these issues and eager to learn about them so we can collectively work towards change.

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Particularly pertinent as we, as international actors, are facing increasingly evident systematic blockage of access, which drastically limit our ability to respond and be the hands and the eyes on the ground, are we willing to change our mentality and to examine other modes of operations that would be complementary with and supportive to local response?

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