PSI joins the People's Health Movement (PHM) in its proposals for a Comprehensive Primary Health Care Program for Palestine that should be developed with and led by the Palestinian health and public services unions, including PSI's affiliates.  

The relentless attacks on Gaza that have devastated the health system make these proposals not only timely - but urgent. Health workers have been deliberately and repeatedly targeted, the WHO has recorded almost 1000 fatal attacks on health workers, another 1000 injured, and detention of more than 300 health workers. All health workers in Gaza are subjected to unimaginable working conditions. Sixty-four percent of health facilities are not functioning, 35% are partially functioning and only 0.32% are fully functioning. Despite having little to no access to medical supplies, equipment, or safety guarantees, and delivering care amidst bloodied rubble, Palestinian health workers continue to serve their communities with extraordinary courage and commitment. 

The participation of our unions in the program's design, implementation, and governance is a guarantee that the program will not only meet urgent health needs, but also strengthen democratic, rights-based public health systems for the long term. 

We therefore join PHM in calling for a program for Palestine that would: 

• Develop an effective humanitarian aid policy with coordinated health actions based on comprehensive primary health care in Gaza and the West Bank. 

• Ensure that medical missions and support mechanisms are coordinated with local health unions and organisations. 

• Back an international conference to strategise for the reconstruction of Palestine’s health system, with strong representation from trade unions, civil society, and global public health experts.  

• Back an international conference to strategise for the reconstruction of Palestine’s health system, with strong representation from trade unions, civil society, and global public health experts. 

• Reiterate commitments to international law recognising that health workers must not be made targets in conflict zones and insist that Israel respect international Covenants, including the Geneva Convention II to protect and respect health workers and refrain from impeding their work. 

PHM presented its proposals to the Hague Group during its first Emergency Conference of States held in Colombia on July 15-16. The Hague Group is a global bloc of states committed to coordinated legal and diplomatic measures in defence of international law and solidarity with the people of Palestine.