Dear [Elected Official’s Name],
I am writing to bring your attention to the appalling suppression of medical access faced by Palestinians in the illegally occupied West Bank city of Hebron. A new report by Doctors Without Borders (DWB) reveals that Palestinians under occupation endure physical violence, psychological trauma, and severely restricted access to medical care, all of which have devastating impacts on their physical and mental health. This report coincides with The Hague concluding that Israel has violated the prohibition on racial segregation and apartheid.
The illegal Israeli occupation has increasingly blocked healthcare access in Hebron through the use of checkpoints and car confiscations, preventing medical workers from reaching remote areas. These restrictions have denied essential care, including vaccinations for babies and children. The imposition of curfews and road closures has further limited Palestinians’ ability to travel for medical support. Even ambulances are not spared, as they are frequently held at checkpoints for hours or forced to take alternative routes, delaying response times in critical emergencies and costing patients their lives.
The system of apartheid is enforced by Israeli checkpoints, which have refused access for medical staff to enter certain areas of the West Bank – forcing numerous medical clinics to close. All Ministry of Health clinics in the H2 area of Hebron were forced to close for two months after 7 October, leaving those in need of care without support, and only one clinic has been able to reopen thereafter.
Emboldened illegal occupation forces and illegal settlers have targeted Palestinians seeking medical care, subjecting them to physical violence, harassment, and detention, forcing clinics to close to prevent the attacks. The health implications from lack of medical attention are incredibly dangerous and have left those with chronic illnesses without prescribed medications for months.
Escalated settler and Israeli military violence is forcing an increasing number of Palestinian families to flee their homes in fear of death. Tactics employed to force them out include the destruction and burning of houses, killing and stealing livestock, forcing residents out at gunpoint, shooting live ammunition, and beating and threatening children. This relentless state of fear, stress and anxiety has a profound impact on the mental health and wellbeing of Palestinians.
These actions, employed by Israel to dominate and oppress Palestinians, uphold a system of apartheid that has persisted for generations. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has found Israel responsible for apartheid and has urged the immediate dismantlement of the illegal occupation and settlements, full reparations to Palestinian victims and the facilitation of the return of displaced people. We have a legal and moral responsibility to support this in every way we can.
I therefore urge you to sanction Israel, including an arms embargo and two-way trade embargo. Failing to do so enables these actions to continue with impunity. These sanctions should also be used to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel has slaughtered over 42,200 Palestinian civilians.
I look forward to your prompt response and decisive action in actively and vocally supporting an end to apartheid and its cruel racist policies and actions.
Your constituent,
[Name]
[Address]
Sources: Doctors Without Borders, EuroMed Human Rights Monitor, International Court of Justice