The Hague - 25 January 2024

An international coalition of medical doctors endorses the case brought to the International Criminal Court on January 25th against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They demand the commissioner to take up the case brought to them by a French group of advocate, lead by Gilles Devers. The preliminary evidence, provided by a team of 600 lawyers, reveals 450 attacks on healthcare workers and medical facilities in Gaza. The doctors: “This is a blatant violation of the Geneva Convention, that should have safeguarded these medical institutions and practitioners in times of war.”

Position of health care in conflict

Doctors from the organizations Doctors for Gaza (Netherlands), Blouse Blanche pour Gaza (France), Healthworkers4Palestine (United Kingdom), Sanitaire per Gaza (Italy), Australian & New Zealand Doctors for Palestine (Australia), Gezondheid voor het Volk (Belgium) call on the prosecutor of the ICC to accept the case against the Israeli government. It is the only way to acknowledge the crimes directed at health care targets in Gaza. The protection of the sick, wounded, elderly and infants, as internationally recognized, is no longer safeguarded in Gaza. Medical doctors around the world urge the ICC and the ICJ to not allow The Geneva convention to become a mere dead letter of the law, but to use this occasion to reaffirm the common values and shared dedication for the rule of law. The doctors: “We will not allow our Human Rights to get violated so blatantly without any repercussions.” 

Die-in demonstration The Hague 

In support of the indictment, Doctors for Gaza (NL) performed a poignant die-in on January 25 at 6:00 PM, alongside the sit-in demonstration for Palestine. Followed by a minute of silence to commemorate healthcare workers in Gaza who lost their lives due to Israeli attacks. They spoke to announce their support for the case at the ICC at 6:30 PM. Doctors for Gaza urges international attention to the ICC indictment and calls for justice for victims of systematic attacks on medical facilities. The collective also appeals to the global community to advocate for direct protection of the healthcare system and medical personnel in Gaza. 

On the 17th of January Doctors for Gaza (NL) offered the Dutch Minister of Health care a pressing letter from the medical community to stand up for health care professionals more publicly, and to call for a ceasefire: “Treat first what kills first”.