Europe takes note as Israel denies physicians entry into Strip July 9, 2009
Bethlehem – Ma’an
8 July 2009
Israeli forces at Erez crossing were censured by French and British doctors Wednesday, after refusing a delegation of European physicians entry into the Strip where they were slated to perform dozens of teaching surgeries in Gaza hospitals.
The British daily newspaper The Guardian quoted French organizer of the humanitarian mission Professor Christophe Oberlin as saying the move violated “basic international humanitarian law principles, [and] the obligations of Israel as the occupying power of the occupied territories.”
The team, who had applied for permission to enter Gaza and received appropriate documentation from Israeli authorities, attempted to enter the Strip Sunday and Monday.
Dr Sonia Robbins, a reconstructive plastic surgeon who has assisted Gazan doctors with complex surgeries in the past, told The Guardian: “I don’t know why we are being refused permission to enter…The consequences are that patients will not be operated on, children will have to wait until next time for surgery, and that won’t happen until six months time.”
She added, “I think it is unacceptable to refuse a humanitarian mission.”
International papers like The Guardian and the New York Times have been giving increased coverage to Israeli actions around international and humanitarian missions to Gaza in recent weeks, following the dramatic seizure by Israeli forces of the Free Gaza movement’s Spirit of Humanity ship and detention of nationals from the United States, Ireland and nine other countries.
LINK: http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=39099
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