Irish Red Cross supports appeal for respect for International Humanitarian law in the Palestinian Territories

David Andrews TD, Chairman of the Irish Red Cross calls on all parties to respect the Geneva Conventions and voiced his concern at the delays suffered in providing vitally needed medical and humanitarian assistance to civilians, especially those in hospital.

"It is very important that the role of the International Red Cross and its sister organisations on the ground are respected by military forces, particularly as the Red Cross is recognised by the Geneva Conventions and its neutral and impartial work must be allowed to continue at this time," said Mr Andrews.

"I am aware that the International Committee of the Red Cross is the only international organisation present in Ramallah and that it is assisting the Palestinian Red Crescent in transporting medical supplies and in its medical activities," he added.

"I would be very concerned if those who were already hospitalised or at home before these hostilities broke out such as pregnant women, asthmatics and other people needing medical attention, together with those who have been injured as a result of current hostilities, were prevented from getting vitally needed treatment, "the Irish Red Cross Chairman concluded.

In a joint statement issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross and its sister organisation the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent societies (including the Palestinian Red Crescent), concern has been expressed about the difficulties faced by the organisation in its attempts to do its work.

Over the past few days and in response to the worsening situation, International Red Cross delegates and Palestine Red Crescent Society volunteers attempted to cater for the most pressing humanitarian needs in the West Bank.

However, the International Red Cross have cause to regret the frequent and often serious instances in which medical personnel were prevented from performing their life saving duties. The most basic humanitarian precondition in a situation of violence is that all medical staff and volunteers be allowed to function unmolested.

Much remains to be done in virtually all humanitarian domains - medical, well-being of the civilian populations, protection of non-combatants and of arrested persons - yet International Committee of the Red Cross delegates were regrettably prevented from working because of a sudden degradation of the usual lines of communication between themselves and the Israeli authorities.

Currently, the International Committee of the Red Cross is urgently seeking access to all those who have been arrested.

The International Red Cross expect to see a rapid improvement in communications, and a subsequent improvement in working relationships, so that vital humanitarian assistance can reach the Palestinian population.

In this context, the International Committee of the Red Cross urgently and solemnly appeals to all those employing armed force to respect international humanitarian law, and in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian persons in Time of War of 1949 and the rules governing the conduct of hostilities.

Notably: forces and persons involved in the conduct of hostilities must take all necessary precautions to spare civilians and civilian property, to treat detained persons humanely at all times, to ensure that the wounded and sick have access to adequate medical facilities, that medical staff and means of transport may function unhampered.

Also, the sanctity of all places of worship has to be respected by all forces. Terrorist acts,
Such as suicide bombings,are absolutely and unconditionally prohibited as are
acts of reprisals, indiscriminate attacks and attacks directed against the civilian population.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have also welcomed the release from detention by the Israeli Defence Forces of Mr. Younis Al-Khatib, President of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS), together with eight of his colleagues.

The President of the PRCS, Mr. Al-Khatib, was detained yesterday morning in Ramallah while travelling with three PRCS ambulances responding to urgent medical calls. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies called on the Israeli authorities to ensure that the PRCS emergency medical services are allowed to carry out their humanitarian mission to all those in need without undue constraints and free from fear of arrest and detention.

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