Humanitarian Crisis in the Territories

MYTH

"Israel's policies in the territories have caused a humanitarian crisis for the Palestinians."

FACT

It is important to remember that Israel offered to withdraw from more than 95 percent of the West Bank and 100 percent of Gaza, and it is the rejection of that proposal, coupled with incessant Palestinian terrorism, that has forced Israeli troops to carry out operations in the territories. Though these actions have caused hardship for the Palestinian population, the IDF has continued to ensure that humanitarian assistance is provided to Palestinians in need. For example, during just one 48-hour period (Jan. 5-6, 2003), the IDF:

• Coordinated the movement of Palestinians seeking medical care, assisting 40 to go to hospitals, including four patients from Gaza who were transferred to Israel for medical treatment.
• Coordinated the movement of 284 Palestinians in the West Bank who were transferred by ambulance.
• Coordinated the passage of building materials for the construction of a hospital in Kalkilya.
• Coordinated the passage of humanitarian goods to Bethlehem.
• Coordinated entry of ration cards sent by an international aid organization to the residents of Azoun.
• Enabled the distribution of ration cards by the Red Cross in Salfit.
• Coordinated the passage of agricultural produce and food between Muassi and Khan Yunis.
• Coordinated the passage of an UNWRA team in Gaza to aid in the disposal of rubbish.
• Arranged entry into Kalkilya for an Israeli Arab family from East Jerusalem to attend their son's wedding.

Even at the height of military action, such as the operation to clean out the terrorist nest in the Jenin refugee camp, Israeli forces have gone out of their way to assist Palestinian non-combatants. In the case of the Jenin operation, for example, the hospital there was kept running with a generator delivered under fire by an Israeli officer (Jerusalem Report, Dec. 20, 2002).

The best way to improve the situation for the Palestinians in the territories is for the Palestinian Authority to take the steps laid out by the Bush Administration – end the violence, reform its institutions, and elect new leaders – so that peace talks may resume and a settlement can be negotiated.