The Israeli health minister told CNN that he does not believe Israel has an obligation or responsibility to provide the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza with a coronavirus vaccine, but instead stressed co-operation in treatment to avoid an increase in new cases of Covid-19 in the Palestinian territories.
Yuli Edelstein’s comments come after the World Health Organization (WHO) said it had informal talks with the Israeli Ministry of Health about the possible supply of vaccines to the Palestinian health workforce as an “immediate priority target group.”
“We are working with the Palestinians to ensure that they receive adequate treatment for coronavirus patients. At this stage, we do not provide vaccines, but we understand that it is in Israel’s interest to make sure that we do not end up in a situation where we are vaccinated and get rid of problems, and there is a new increase in the Palestinian side, “Edelstein said. on CNN’s New Day.
Israel leads the world in vaccinating its population, with almost 20% of the population receiving at least one dose of Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine. But he has been criticized by some human rights groups, who say they have obligations under international law to provide vaccines to Palestinians as well.
Amnesty International, for example, said last week: “The Israeli government must stop ignoring its international obligations as an occupying power and take immediate action to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are provided equally and equitably to Palestinians living under occupation. in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip ”.
Groups such as Amnesty point to the Fourth Geneva Convention, which, among other tasks of an occupying power, speaks of ensuring “the necessary measures to combat the spread of contagious diseases and epidemics”.
Israel claims that the Oslo Accords, signed with the Palestinians in the 1990s, give the Palestinian Authority (PA) responsibility for ensuring the health of Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza.
The director general of the Public Health Directorate of the Palestinian Ministry of Health told CNN that the PA did not request Israel’s assistance with vaccines, which was contradicted by the chairman of the Union of Medical Aid Committees, Mustafa Barghouti, himself a leading Palestinian politician. . He told CNN reports that the AP sought about 10,000 doses for health workers were correct. Barghouti said the request was rejected by Israel.
The WHO said it had been told that the Israeli Ministry of Health was ready to “explore the option” of immediate vaccines for medical workers in the Palestinian territories, but was told that “it is currently unable to provide vaccines due to lack of vaccines in Israel. “.
Edelstein told CNN: “It’s in our interest; it doesn’t mean it’s our obligation or responsibility in any way. Palestinians lead the Palestinian Authority … but as has happened in recent months, we’ve always been ready to help with equipment, with advice. with products or medicines, and this kind of cooperation will continue. ”
The Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Monday that it had registered the Russian vaccine Sputnik V for what it called emergency use, with an initial batch expected to arrive in the territories within a month, according to the Russian Direct Investment Fund, which sponsored the vaccine development . The Ministry of Health says it has signed contracts with three other Covid-19 vaccine suppliers.