Israel continues to treat Palestinians in its medical system

In December 1994, the Palestinian Authority assumed responsibility for all aspects of the Palestinian population’s civilian life, including health and medical services. Despite this and even in the midst of the ongoing conflict, Israel continues to treat Palestinians in its medical system.

Many major hospitals in Israel regularly treat Palestinians every day. In 2007, Israel issued Palestinians 50 percent more permits to receive health care in Israel than the year prior: in Gaza alone, Israel issued more than 7,000 permits for Palestinian patients and almost 8,000 permits for their escorts.

Ashkelon’s Barzilai Medical Center even tends to those wounded in inter-factional fighting in the Gaza Strip. “Everyone receives the same treatment in the same wards, regardless of ethnic origin or nationality,” said Dr. Ron Lobel, the hospital's medical director. “We deliver the service equally, whether [patients] come from Gaza or … Sderot.“

Israel intensively focuses efforts to ensure that Palestinian and other Arab babies and children receive state-of-the-art medical care through a variety of hospitals, medical center and specialized programs. (Source: Israeli Project)