LSHTM Solidarity with Gaza letter to the Lancet

Dear Lancet Editorial Staff,

In response to the recent letter by Braunstein and colleagues at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (1), we respectfully submit the following:

We are students and staff at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), committed to the right to health for all. We strongly believe that addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza, its victims and the aftermath of war, is an imperative duty of public health (2,3).

The impact on public health of the conflict in Gaza and preceding 18-month siege has included the denial of basic necessities, such as food, water and electricity (4), the destruction of health facilities and public health capacity (5) and an unacceptable number of civilian deaths, including over 300 children (6,7).

We condemn the actions of the Israeli government and military on the basis of its negative impact on human life in Gaza. These actions include the disproportionate use of force and the indiscriminate use of area weapons in a dense civilian area (8), the destruction of civilian infrastructure (8,9), the use of white phosphorus (9) as a chemical weapon (11-15), the obstruction of humanitarian aid (5,12,16,17) and the attack of health care workers, ambulances and health care facilities (6,18). We feel these actions are war crimes and stand with others in this condemnation, including Amnesty International (12) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (4).

We also condemn the actions of Hamas as war crimes, including firing rockets into civilian areas. However, this does not justify war crimes by the Israeli government and military (19).

With others, we call on the following from the Israeli government and Hamas:
1. A complete withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Gaza, and a continued ceasefire by both sides.
2. A commitment by both sides to abide by the Geneva Conventions in all future actions, including articles pertaining to the responsibility of occupying powers.
3. An independent inquiry into war crimes by both the Israeli military and Hamas and that those who are suspected of war crimes be brought to trial for their actions.
4. Reparations from Israel to the people of Gaza, in compensation for their loss during this conflict.
5. A commitment by the Israeli government to protect the health of the people of Gaza, including addressing the social determinants of their health.

Fernando Galvan, Andrew D. Pinto* and Marianne Tellier, on behalf of more than 270 students, faculty and staff at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

* Contact: [email protected]

Last edited: February-5-09


References
1. Braunstein R, Faleck D, Stern D. Response to medical students letter of solidarity with Gaza. Lancet 2009; 373: 377-8.
2. MacQueen G, Santa Barbara J. Peacebuilding through health initiatives. BMJ 2000. 321: 293-296.
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19. UNHCR. Statement of Ms. Navanethem Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Ninth Special Session of the Human Rights Council on The Grave Violations of Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory including the recent aggression of the occupied Gaza Strip. Jan 9 2009. http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/D78B7DAC697D3060C1257539003B5F3A?opendocument. Accessed Jan 21 2009.