WELLINGTON COUNTY – They want increased aid, tighter arms restrictions, and an end to “the silencing and targeting of healthcare workers who are speaking out for Palestinian human rights.”
That’s the gist of an open letter signed by 112 physicians in Wellington County, Guelph and Waterloo Region and delivered to local politicians and hospitals on April 29.
The letter, entitled “Call to Action Concerning the Humanitarian Crisis in Palestine: An Open Letter from Waterloo and Wellington Region Physicians,” is signed by 22 doctors working in Wellington County, including 13 in Fergus, three in Elora, three in Rockwood, and one each in Arthur, Drayton and Palmerston.
“We feel immense moral distress over the violence and lack of humanitarian aid that has resulted in over 30,000 deaths, severe food insecurity nearing famine, and the spread of devastating preventable disease,” the letter states.
It’s addressed to local MPs, MPPs and leaders of hospitals and health care centres, and makes three requests:
– for local politicians to push for “unobstructed humanitarian aid to enter into Gaza” and the Canadian government to “urge Israel to uphold its responsibility under international law to provide aid as an occupying force;”
– that Canada stay bound to the non-binding NDP-led federal motion passed on March 18 that halted approvals for future arms permits to Israel, and also cancel permits passed prior to the motion passing; and
– for recipients to “support healthcare workers standing in solidarity with Palestinians during this humanitarian crisis, and oppose efforts to stifle advocacy.
“As physicians, staying silent goes against every principle ingrained into our ethical framework as medical professionals,” the letter states.
MPP Ted Arnott, MP Michael Chong, Groves Memorial Community Hospital and North Wellington Health Care Corporation CEO Angela Stanley and Guelph General Hospital CEO Mark Walton are on the list of recipients, but did not immediately respond to the Advertiser’s request for comment.
To read the open letter visit shorturl.at/jnV27.
