Associations of European doctors express grief and sadness over loss of life and suffering
during Gaza-Israel conflict. We stand in solidarity with victims and with medical staff
providing life-saving help and medical care in Gaza under extreme duress, risking their lives
to protect the patients.
Wars and humanitarian crises bring the basic principles of medical service to the attention of
medical staff and also of each and every human being. Health and well-being of our patients
are our first consideration. We maintain utmost respect for human life and do not permit
considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political
affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between
our duty and our patients.
These principles have to be observed by doctors and other healthcare professionals on
whatever side of the conflict they happen to work. Moreover, each side of the conflict has a
moral and legal duty enshrined in international law to ensure to the greatest extent possible,
that patients and victims obtain medical care based on these principles.
Using patients, medical staff and medical facilities as a shield for combat operations or
targeting them violate laws and ethics, and should be documented, investigated and judged.
We call for the establishment of protected areas where patients and victims could obtain
medical care, medical staff could provide this care in line with basic ethical principles of our
profession and international help could be provided to save lives and alleviate suffering.
Each military conflict brings immeasurable suffering and health problems to a far greater
number of human beings than those directly involved in military operations. These problems
will continue long after the conflict subsides.
We call for peace, for conditions in which medical professions can effectively and in line with
the principles of the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Geneva1 provide help that is
so desperately needed.
