Health conditions in the OPT and Golan – WHO 58th World Health Assembly – Resolution

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Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian

territory including East Jerusalem and in the

occupied Syrian Golan

The Fifty-eighth World Health Assembly,

Mindful of the basic principle established in the Constitution of WHO, which affirms that the health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security;

Recalling all its previous resolutions on health conditions in the occupied Arab territories;

Expressing appreciation for the report of the Director-General on the health conditions of, and assistance to, the Arab population in the occupied Arab territories, including Palestine;¹

Expressing its concern at the deterioration of the economic and health conditions as well as the humanitarian crises resulting from the continued occupation and the severe restrictions imposed by Israel, the occupying power;

Affirming the right of Palestinian patients and medical staff to the health facilities available at the Palestinian health institutions in occupied East Jerusalem;

Deploring the impact on the Palestinian environment and in particular on Palestinian water resources of the disposal of Israeli waste in the West Bank;

Concerned about the possible health effects on the Palestinian people of the “enhanced X-ray machine” used by Israel at Palestinian border-crossing points,

1. CALLS UPON Israel, the occupying power, to halt immediately all its practices, policies and plans which seriously affect the health conditions of civilians under occupation;

2. DEMANDS that Israel reverse its practice of dumping waste in the occupied Palestinian territory;

3. EXTENDS its gratitude to Member States, and to intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations for their continued support in meeting the health needs of the Palestinian people;

4. EXPRESSES its deep appreciation to the Director-General for his efforts to provide necessary assistance to the Palestinian people, the rest of the Arab population in the occupied Arab territories, and other peoples of the region;

5. REQUESTS the Director-General:

(1) to submit a fact-finding report on the health and economic situation in the occupied Palestinian territory;

(2) to undertake without delay an independent health-impact assessment of the “enhanced X-ray machine” used by Israel at Palestinian border-crossing points;

(3) to take urgent steps, in cooperation with Member States, to support the Palestinian Ministry of Health in its efforts to overcome the current difficulties and to help it during and after the announced Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank, in particular so as to guarantee the free movement of all health personnel and patients within and out of the occupied Palestinian territory including East Jerusalem, and the normal provision of medical supplies to the Palestinian medical premises;

(4) to provide health-related technical assistance to the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan;

(5) to continue providing necessary technical assistance to meet the health needs of the Palestinian people, including the handicapped and injured;

(6) to support the development of the health system in Palestine including development of human resources;

(7) to report on implementation of this resolution to the Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly.

Eighth plenary meeting, 23 May 2005

A58/VR/8

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¹ Document A58/24.

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