CUPE: Canada must protect Palestinian health care workers, end genocide

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Canadian Union of Public Employees is demanding urgent action to end Israeli military attacks on Palestinian first responders and health care workers in Gaza, and to stop the ongoing genocide.

CUPE represents 190,000 health care workers, including over 9,000 paramedics and first responders across Canada.

CUPE National President Mark Hancock has written to foreign affairs minister Mélanie Joly about the dire situation in Gaza. There are hundreds of documented Israeli military attacks on health care workers and health care facilities, including the recent execution of a convoy of 15 medical and emergency workers.

“Those emergency workers were killed while they were trying to save lives. These are absolutely horrifying attacks by Israel. Canada can and must act now to protect Palestinian health care workers and all Palestinian people in Gaza,” says Hancock. Israeli attacks have killed more than 1050 health care workers since October 7, 2023. More than 500 have been detained in Gaza and the West Bank. The ongoing bombardment has destroyed hospitals and other health care facilities.

CUPE is calling for a full and immediate two-way arms embargo on Israel. CUPE is also calling on the federal government to demand:

• the immediate release of all Palestinian health care workers being held in detention;
• the immediate suspension of attacks on health care workers and on hospitals, ambulances and health centres, and aid workers;
• accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law;
• an immediate and permanent ceasefire; and
• an end to the blockade of food, medical and humanitarian aid for Gaza.

CUPE’s letter reminds Joly of Canada’s responsibility under international law to “employ all reasonable means” to prevent and punish the crime of genocide.

“Gaza’s health care workers have served in impossible conditions for the last 18 months. We have witnessed their pain and suffering in countless devastating images and videos. How much misery will they and the Palestinian people have to endure before Canada finally lives up to its international obligations?” says CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick.

• Read CUPE’s letter to Mélanie Joly