IPPNW statement on crisis in Gaza

[IPPNW’s International Council adopted the following statement on the Gaza crisis at its meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan on August 29.]

Gaza Declaration

IPPNW World Congress

Astana, Kazakhstan

28th August 2014

International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) received the Nobel Prize in 1985 for creating an awareness of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear war and advocating prevention by abolishing nuclear weapons. It was essentially a universal public health project and an exercise in preventive medicine. IPPNW continues to advocate the same humanitarian principles.

IPPNW is extremely concerned that the ongoing military conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is not only undermining nuclear disarmament regionally and globally but also resulting in massive urban destruction and the mounting loss of civilian lives. Unless the root causes of the conflict are addressed, it will recur.

No one can deny that the Israelis have every right to live in peace and freedom in a legitimate state with internationally established boundaries and be free of any threat to destroy it. No one can deny that the Palestinians have every right to live in peace and freedom in a legitimate state with internationally established boundaries and be free of any threat to destroy it. Both sides must stop their aggression and peacefully negotiate a just resolution through dialogue.

IPPNW appeals to the United Nations and the international community to intervene and effect an immediate, lasting ceasefire, an end to Israeli bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza, an end to all rocket attacks by Hamas, and full provision of food, water, shelter and medical care to the wounded and displaced, as well as psychological support for the bereaved, and guaranteed United Nations-supervised full access to the world. IPPNW favors negotiations for the fulfilment of the “Oslo declaration of principles” as it was accepted by Israel and the Palestinians in 1993.

In the long term, IPPNW calls for a radical change in thinking and in the way ordinary people and governments respond to conflict so that peaceful dialogue becomes the norm and sweeps away militarism and war.