Israeli Supreme Court rejects intervention on Gaza patient access to West Bank

Israel's Supreme Court has rejected a plea to intervene in the government's complete ban on medical treatment for Gaza patients in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This prohibition prevents access that was previously granted on a case-by-case basis before October 7, 2023.

The court's decision came after five Israeli human rights organizations filed a request. Instead of ruling on the ban, the court advised the petitioners to focus their efforts on persuading other countries to accept the patients. "The judge Yael Willner indicated to the plaintiffs to send the documents presented before the court to other countries and stated that their considerable efforts should be invested there," stated Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), one of the organizations involved.

“

The judge Yael Willner indicated to the plaintiffs to send the documents presented before the court to other countries and stated that their considerable efforts should be invested there.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court also dismissed requests to hear from five senior Israeli doctors and ordered the removal of an expert opinion from Dr. Ambreen Sleemi. Dr. Sleemi, an American obstetrician-gynecologist with 30 years of experience, had volunteered at Gaza's Nasser Hospital and documented the collapse of its healthcare system.

“

The hospitals in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are prepared to receive patients from Gaza and would have support to expand their capacity and meet the additional needs.

According to the petitioners, approximately 18,500 patients and injured individuals, including about 4,000 children, are currently awaiting medical attention that cannot be provided within Gaza. The human rights groups argued that Palestinian hospitals in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are prepared to receive these patients and could expand their capacity with support. These hospitals have historically provided specialized treatments for Gazan patients.

Evacuations of Gazan patients to third countries have significantly decreased since the conflict began, with only about 10% of those who previously accessed care now being transferred. One judge reportedly suggested that the petitioners consider taking their case to The Hague against countries refusing to accept Gaza patients.

“

During years, these hospitals have been an integral part of the medical care for patients from Gaza, providing specialized treatments.