No Vote
The UK is voting against this text because it is the only
country-specific resolution at the WHA. It singles out
Israel and unhelpfully politicises the WHO.
However our voting must not be taken to imply that we are
not deeply concerned by the health situation and needs in
the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the health impact
of the Israeli occupation.
We recognise that the conflict, and the absence of peace,
affects the health and well-being of millions of civilians.
Recent events in the Occupied Palestinian Territories serve
to remind us that the situation is getting worse, not
better. Since last year, the health-care situation in Gaza
has continued to deteriorate, injuries from Israel’s use of
live fire in response to the Gaza protests have placed
immense strain on healthcare provision, and reductions in
aid have placed funding for hospitals in East Jerusalem at
risk.
However, it is troubling that The World Health Assembly
does not consider any of the many other dreadful conflicts,
civil wars, or political impasses around the world in the
same way. The resolution on the health situation in the
Occupied Palestinian Territories remains the only one of
its kind.
We fail in our duty to serve people around the world who
are facing vitally important heath needs if we allow the
WHO to become politicized. This is equally true for the
business of other UN and international bodies. So today,
the United Kingdom voted, as we have before, against this
politicisation of the World Health Assembly.
