According to the monitoring and documentation of the Al Mezan Center for Human rights,from the beginning of January 2013 until now, Israeli occupying forces have arrested 18 Palestinians at Erez crossing, of whom 6 were patients and five were patient escorts.
Two businessmen were also among those arrested.
At midday on Thursday, 16 January, 2014, Israeli forces arrested Mahmoud Salim Abu Shammas, 34, while crossing Erez on his way to Assuta Hospital in Tel-Aviv,Ramat HaHayal.
The hospital had requested his attendance to sign paperwork before an upcoming surgery scheduled for his father, Salim Abu Shammas, 70.
His father was in the hospital at the time with his escorting nephew, Abdel Kader Abu Shammas, 49.
According to Abu Shammas’s relatives, patient Salim Abu Shammas’ was suffering continued deteriorating health.
He died on 19 January 2014, shortly after hearing the news that his son had been arrested.
The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights strongly condemns Israel’s policy of targeting Palestinian patient escorts and patients of Gaza in need of medical treatment at hospitals in Israel and the West Bank.
This policy effectively manipulates the need for treatment and turns the crossing into a trap whereby Palestinian patients and patient escorts are arrested and urged to become collaborators for the Israeli intelligence services.
It should be noted that Israel’s policy that requires patients to apply for movement permits -- normally a lengthy, bureaucratic process subject to severe and at times fatal delays -- includes a security interview before clearance is obtained and a permit is issued.
Al Mezan points out that these policies are in contravention of international humanitarian law, citing in particular paragraph (2) article (38) of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which emphasizes the right to “receive medical attention and hospital treatment to the same extent as the nationals of the State concerned”.
Israel’s policies also violate articles (22), (25), and (12) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Economic Rights.
Al Mezan calls on state parties to intervene and exert pressure on Israel to end its practices at Erez crossing, to respect its obligations toward the Palestinian patients and patient escorts, and to hold Israel accountable for its violations.