Health conference paused to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day (28 April) on Wednesday morning. Tanya Pretswell, chair of the health service group executive, read a statement.
She said: “UNISON are appalled by the blockade on humanitarian aid and resumption of the Israeli government’s devastating assault on Gaza following two months of ceasefire.
“Tens of thousands of people have again been displaced from the remains of their homes and forced to seek refuge in appalling conditions in overcrowded camps.
“We continue to demand a permanent ceasefire, access to humanitarian assistance, the safe release of hostages and an end to the siege, and the situation remains top of our international agenda.
“We condemn the horrific assault on five ambulances, a fire truck and a UN vehicle on 23 March, during which 15 people, including paramedics in uniform, were killed and buried in a shallow grave.
“This came on the same day the surgical department at Nasser hospital was attacked and two days after the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital was destroyed.
“We stand in solidarity with the health workers of Gaza. Our colleagues who have sacrificed so much in the most appalling of circumstances to save lives.
“Health workers and healthcare facilities should be protected under international humanitarian law. But there have been over 670 attacks on healthcare since October 2023 and 1,000 of our fellow workers have been killed.
“Today we join their colleagues, families and loved ones in mourning their loss and expressing gratitude for their remarkable contribution to our profession as healthcare professionals working in the most extreme of circumstances.”
Conference then held a minute’s silence.
The union is promoting Public Service International’s campaign Health Workers are Not a Target – we stand with Gaza’s first responders.
The article Health: Standing in solidarity with Gaza’s first responders first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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