NZNO Calls For Gaza Ceasefire And Protection Of Health Workers

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi
Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says it is gravely concerned by
the escalating loss of life among health care workers and
other civilians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian
Territories.

NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says the
latest official reports show 11,078 Palestinians and around
1200 people in Israel have been killed, with as many as 4506
Palestinian children and 31 Israeli children among the
dead.

“We are appalled by the current military action
at Al Shifa Hospital. While patients and health workers
remain in Al Shifa it continues to be a hospital with
protection under International Humanitarian Law.

“We
are further appalled by the attacks on health care in Gaza
and the West Bank which have included hospitals, clinics,
patients and ambulances.”

Ms Nuku says at least 198
health workers have been killed in Gaza since 7 October,
according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs.

“Although there are no
reported casualties, we are also concerned about the 25
attacks on health care in Israel.”

She says NZNO
extends solidarity with health workers everywhere and that
the organisation stands with all peoples aspiring for
freedom from colonisation.

NZNO has produced a
statement on the conflict calling for an immediate and
permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and
the withdrawal of the Israel Defence Forces from all
Palestinian territories.

“We want an immediate end to
the siege of Gaza, and the admission of all necessary
humanitarian aid, including water, food, medical equipment,
and fuel.

“Civilians must be protected and all
hostages must be immediately returned.”

The statement
also calls for an International Criminal Court investigation
into the possible crimes of genocide, crimes against
humanity, and war crimes committed by the state of Israel,
Hamas, and other parties to the conflict, as well as a
solution to the conflict that recognises and enables the
Palestinian people’s inalienable rights to
self-determination and sovereignty.

Ms Nuku also says
she is also concerned by reports from Te Kāhui Tika Tangata
the Human Rights Commission that anti-Semitism and
Islamophobia are increasing within Aotearoa as a result of
the war in Gaza.

The NZNO statement is available on
the NZNO
website.

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