Thank you chair,

We thank the DG for the report. As the world applauded health and care workers from all countries during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we should be doing the same with the Palestinians health and care workers risking their lives to take care of the injury and wounded people. However, instead of clapping, they are receiving bombs. Israeli actions have killed more than 1,000 healthcare workers in the year and a half since it launched the War on Gaza. Moreover, according to the WHO Israeli forces have detained more than 500 health workers. This is a flagrant violation of the Geneva Convention, and it must stop now.

Public Services International and its affiliates stand in solidarity with our sisters, brothers, and comrades in Gaza. An injury to one is an injury to all. Attacks on health and care workers anywhere are attacks on health and care workers everywhere. We cannot accept the killing of our colleagues.