PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY WISCONSIN’S STATEMENT ON THE ISRAEL/GAZA WAR

Put an End to this Massacre

As medical professionals and as human beings, we were horrified by the brutal attack on Oct. 7 by Hamas on Israeli communities bordering Gaza. The attacks resulted in the death of 1,200 Israelis and the taking of hundreds of Israeli hostages.

But this atrocity has been met by a 9 month bombardment of Gaza residents by the Israeli government. As of 6/15/24, 37,000 people in Gaza have died, over two thirds of them women and children. There are no safe zones are within Gaza, and no escape route for residents. Some 80% of Gaza residents have fled their homes in the bombing. Those who have survived the attacks face death due to injury, disease and starvation. Hospitals have been targeted by the Israeli military, killing and injuring doctors and other medical professionals. Food workers and other people providing humanitarian assistance have also been targeted.

Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International spoke in April to the press:

“We don't accept the narrative of ‘regrettable incidents’. We do not accept it, because what has happened to World Central Kitchen, and MSF’s convoys and shelters, is part of the same pattern of deliberate attacks on humanitarians, health workers, journalists, UN personnel, schools, and homes…..This is about impunity, a total disregard for the laws of war, and now it must become about accountability…..

And our government is complicit. It is sending money and weapons to Israel to target not just Hamas fighters, but the entire population of Gaza. The 2000 pound bombs that have destroyed most of Gaza and the smaller munitions used in strikes on schools and displacement camps in Gaza are made in the US.

In June , Samuel Johann, MSF coordinator in Gaza said: "It's a nightmare at Al-Aqsa.  It’s way beyond what anyone could deal with in a functional hospital, let alone with the scarce resources we have here. How many more men, women and children have to be killed before world leaders decide to put an end to this massacre?"

We insist that our government halt the delivery of bombs and munitions to Israel and its funding of the Israeli assault on Gaza, work towards an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the freeing of Israeli hostages and restoration to Gaza residents of safe shelter, clean water, food and medical care.  The US must be part of the solution, not the problem.

See our January 2024 Letter to the Editor in Wisconsin State Journal.

click to view this article in the The Chris Hedges Report.