Doctors of the World USA’s Post

In conflict zones around the world, violence against aid workers shows a blatant disregard for International Humanitarian Law. This year, World Humanitarian Day calls attention to the dangers civilian aid workers face everyday. Humanitarian work requires access to vulnerable populations in sometimes dangerous areas. The attack on FSD’s Kharkiv offices just last month by a Russian missile as well as the deadly attacks on HALO deminers in Afghanistan in 2021 highlight the risks deminers face while trying to protect others. Today, we recognize their bravery and join the international community in calling for the protection of humanitarian aid workers around the world so that they can continue supporting vulnerable communities. #ActForHumanity #WorldHumanitarianDay

We strongly denounce the attack by the Israeli forces on a camp housing displaced persons in Rafah on May 26th, killing 40 Palestinians of which many women and children. This brutal operation has been followed by further escalations that took place yesterday, adding up 45 additional fatalities. There are no words to describe the situation in Gaza, and even so it worsens day after day. We acknowledge and sustain the recognition of Palestine by Ireland, Norway and Spain, as well as the initiatives of the ICC and the ICJ: the arrest warrants and the demand of immediate suspension of military operations in Rafah. Even though the international efforts are multiplying, they are still not sufficient to reach a ceasefire and provide life-saving support to the civilian population and this is evident in the scaling up of Israeli operations in Rafah as well as the fact that very little humanitarian aid is entering and reaching the population in need. It is each country's responsibility to uphold international law. Taking position against the war on Gaza and doing everything possible to support the supply of humanitarian aid are both fundamental steps that need to be taken for the respect of human rights and international law.

🇮🇱Tonight the Knesset finally approved the law that prohibits UNRWA activities within the territory of Israel. Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, MK Yuli Edelstein: "After hard work in the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, we were able to lead to a historic and significant move for the security of the country and to thwart one of the terrorist arms that operated under the auspices of the United Nations. The Knesset plenum has just now voted on the UNRWA laws. UNRWA has long ceased to be a humanitarian aid agency, but beyond being an integral part of encouraging terrorism and hatred, it is an agency for perpetuating poverty and suffering. The logic is simple - in order to survive, UNRWA itself creates demand for the product it supplies. This circle of horrors ends today, They are out! The law is intended to prevent any activity of UNRWA in the territory of the State of Israel. According to the proposal, UNRA will not operate any representation, will not provide any service and will not carry out any activity, directly or indirectly, in the sovereign territory of the State of Israel. MK Boaz Bismuth from the initiators of the law: "UNRWA is not an aid agency for refugees, it is an aid agency for Hamas! The UNRA workers were full accomplices in the cruel and unimaginable massacre they perpetrated on us, we cannot forget the chilling documentation of Yonatan Samrano the 4th kidnapped by a "social worker" of UNRA. 92 MKs supported the proposal and 10 opposed. 18 were not present during the vote.

Escalation of violence will benefit no one, but will lead to immense suffering for civilians. In line with our repeated calls, most recently during Sunday’s @UN Security Council emergency meeting, #Malta reiterates need for restraint by all parties in the #MiddleEast is paramount. During #today’s @EU_Commission extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council meeting, we discussed rising insecurity and instability in Middle East. The recent incidents involving Iran and Israel raise very serious concerns – the escalation of this conflict is wholly unacceptable. Also affirmed that latest developments should not divert our attention from dire humanitarian situation in #Gaza and suffering of hostages and their families – a permanent ceasefire, release of all hostages and significantly increased access to humanitarian aid are urgent first steps to get back on the road to #peace.

On #WorldHumanitarianDay, let's also recognize the critical role of military forces in defending human rights and protecting humanitarian workers. As defenders of peace and security, they must uphold international humanitarian law, ensuring the safety of civilians and those who risk their lives to provide aid. It's time to demand accountability from all involved in conflicts and work together to end impunity. The protection of humanitarians and civilians must be a priority in every conflict zone. #CitizensInUniform

World Humanitarian Day is indeed a moment to honor the resilience and determination of those facing severe war conditions in Sudan. It’s a time to recognize the ongoing struggles and to advocate for a future where basic human needs are met and respected. Celebrating this day helps bring attention to the efforts needed to improve conditions and support those affected by conflict and adversity. #WorldHumanitarianDay

Positioning humanitarian aid as a solution to an evidently political problem is not only dangerous and incredibly damaging to any attempts at political discourse, it is also deeply misleading and immoral. Lack of humanitarian aid didn’t cause human beings to be burnt to death; US funded arms to Israel did. Lack of humanitarian aid didn’t bomb and shell hospitals; US funded arms to Israel did. The lack of humanitarian aid isn’t the disease- it’s only but a symptom of a decades long festering wound of apartheid and racism and complete and utter impunity. https://lnkd.in/dFDvPGSg

On #WorldHumanitarianDay, I join everyone saluting humanitarians for their courage, determination, and service to humanity. But honouring aid workers is not enough. 2023 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian personnel. In Gaza, in Sudan, and in many other places, humanitarian workers are being attacked, killed, injured, and abducted, alongside the civilians they support. International humanitarian law – the law that protects civilians during wartime – is being ignored and trampled. We demand an end to attacks on humanitarians and on all civilians. We demand that governments put pressure on all those involved in conflict to protect civilians. We demand an end to arms transfers to armies and groups that violate international law. We demand an end to impunity, so that perpetrators face justice.

On this #WorldHumanitarianDay 2024, we remember the unsung heroes who go above and beyond to provide aid and comfort to those in need. Humanitarians work in the most dangerous places to bring relief and hope. Their efforts remind us of the power of empathy and action in creating positive change. 2023 marked the deadliest attacks on aid workers globally. Attacks harming humanitarians have become common and can be a violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Attacks on humanitarian workers and humanitarian assets must stop. Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop. This World Humanitarian Day, we demand an end to these violations and the impunity with which they are committed. It is time for those in power to end impunity and #ActForHumanity. Paul Spiegel

Tens of millions of people around the world are marching for the 2 million displaced people in Gaza - for more “real action” at every level - in order to prevent genocide - like South Africa stating it will arrest dual nationality Israeli soldiers when they return to SA - like Yemen blockading supply ships destined for Israel - like SA taking Israel to the International Court of Justice to set out the case for the world to awaken to Palestine’s 75 years of persecution - like tens of millions of people globally continuing to march and demonstrate calling for an immediate Israeli ceasefire and humanitarian aid to be allowed through - like McDonalds losing $7 billion dollars after global boycotts - where boycotting other global corporations which are linked to Israeli funds, donations and support What Palestine 🇵🇸 Gaza needs right now is for the UN Security Council to vote for: an immediate ceasefire, tell Israel to stop their genocide, for the massive blocked humanitarian aid to be allowed through en masse, for UN peacekeeping and humanitarian troops to be deployed in Gaza in order to ensure all of these measures. All with reference to the ICJ’s ruling and court order supporting South Africa’s case against Israel 🇮🇱 for “provisional measures”. The US, UK and other western leaders need to listen to their millions of citizens calling for weapons sales to Israel, billions of dollars of funding to Israel and political support to be withdrawn immediately. As the top international humanitarian, genocide and war crimes lawyers have pointed out - arrest warrants need to be issued for the top Israeli Zionist leadership - just as arrest warrants were issued against Russian leadership for war crimes in Ukraine - why the difference? Clearly if Israel 🇮🇱 is not told to stop by the superpowers, funding ceased, weapon supply ceased, and political support withdrawn - then Israel will not desist