12 aug 2012
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Hamas calls on Egypt's president to reopen Rafah crossing
Hamas ministry of health says Egypt’s closure of the Rafah border crossing could cause a health disaster in the blockaded Gaza Strip. Since the closure of the passenger terminal following the killing of Egyptian policemen near the crossing suffering of patients and humanitarian cases has increased. Hundreds of chronically ill patients are waiting for the crossing to reopen in order for them to receive medical outside Gaza. On Friday and Saturday Egyptian authorities allowed nearly two thousand Palestinians stranded on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing to return to Gaza but they still prevent anyone from leaving the Gaza Strip since last Sunday. |
Al-Mezan Center For Human Rights called on Egypt to fully reopen the crossing .
Al-Mezan’s Samir Zaqqout told PRESS TV that by sealing the Rafah crossing Egypt has reinforced the Israeli blockade and deprived Gazans of basic human rights.
The Rafah terminal is Gaza’s only border crossing that bypasses Israel.
Gazan patients avoid using the Israeli crossing located in northern Gaza due to Israel’s practice of arresting ,harassing and even forcing patients to become spies for Israel in order for them to receive a permit to leave Gaza via that crossing.
Doctors say that the lives of some of the patients some of whom are on life support including children are hanging by a thread.
With the ongoing Israeli blockade and Egypt's refusal to fully reopen the Rafah crossing ,Gazan patients say they are caught between a rock and a hard place.
Al-Mezan’s Samir Zaqqout told PRESS TV that by sealing the Rafah crossing Egypt has reinforced the Israeli blockade and deprived Gazans of basic human rights.
The Rafah terminal is Gaza’s only border crossing that bypasses Israel.
Gazan patients avoid using the Israeli crossing located in northern Gaza due to Israel’s practice of arresting ,harassing and even forcing patients to become spies for Israel in order for them to receive a permit to leave Gaza via that crossing.
Doctors say that the lives of some of the patients some of whom are on life support including children are hanging by a thread.
With the ongoing Israeli blockade and Egypt's refusal to fully reopen the Rafah crossing ,Gazan patients say they are caught between a rock and a hard place.
3 aug 2012
Captive Economy: The Pharmaceutical Industry and the Israeli Occupation
Who Profits Issued a new report investigates the involvement of Israeli and multinational pharmaceutical industries in the occupation of Palestinian land. The report exposes a complex system of military and civilian laws and regulations that make the West Bank and the Gaza Strip a captive market for Israeli and International drug companies. The Palestinian market is held by binding economic agreements, subject to restrictions imposed by Israel, often in the name of security and quality-control.
The report said that the Paris Protocol, a significant part of the 1993 Oslo Accords, regulates the financial relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority by placing them under the same taxation envelope. In the case of the pharmaceutical industry, the dependency of the Palestinian market on the Israeli authorities has inflicted strong negative economic effects on the OPT. For example, the Israeli Ministry of Health insisted that the import of drugs to the OPT would be allowed only for drugs registered in Israel, consequently blocking the neighboring Arab markets.
The report revealed that in East Jerusalem, Palestinian institutions are obligated to purchase goods produced by the occupier, due to the illegal annexation East Jerusalem under international law and the refusal to allow Palestinian pharmaceuticals into East Jerusalem hospitals and pharmacies.
It also revealed that in the Gaza strip, which is under strict closure, the Israeli control over all products that enter and leave the strip yields an absurd situation in which drugs can enter the Gaza Strip. However, no pharmaceutical can leave the strip. Hence, all expired products are left to the care of the receiving Gazan health institutions. This is a heavy burden that requires professional solutions, including toxic waste dump stations and qualified personnel.
Israeli and multinational companies enjoy the aforementioned situation in several ways. From the four largest, originally-Israeli companies (Teva, Perrigo Israel, Taro and Dexcel Pharma), to smaller companies (such as Trima) - all Israeli companies enjoy easy access to the Palestinian market, free of customs and checkpoint disturbances. The Israeli manufacturers and agents do not have to amend any of their products in order to sell them in the OPT. As a result, Israeli and multinational companies can sell drugs that are not labeled in Arabic to an Arabic speaking population. Moreover, a differential pricing policy is applied by multinational companies worldwide according to the population's socio-economic status. This policy, often called "price discrimination", overlooks the situation in the OPT.
Who Profits concluded, the politics of the occupation create a continuation of the structured inequality, in which it is extremely difficult for Palestinians to import raw materials and export pharmaceuticals. The Palestinian pharmaceutical industry suffers from difficulties transferring merchandise from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip. At the same time, Israeli manufacturers can market their products without checkpoints, security checks or special permits. The situation has severe results for the local population, mainly due to higher prices of pharmaceutical products which limit the accessibility of basic healthcare.
The report said that the Paris Protocol, a significant part of the 1993 Oslo Accords, regulates the financial relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority by placing them under the same taxation envelope. In the case of the pharmaceutical industry, the dependency of the Palestinian market on the Israeli authorities has inflicted strong negative economic effects on the OPT. For example, the Israeli Ministry of Health insisted that the import of drugs to the OPT would be allowed only for drugs registered in Israel, consequently blocking the neighboring Arab markets.
The report revealed that in East Jerusalem, Palestinian institutions are obligated to purchase goods produced by the occupier, due to the illegal annexation East Jerusalem under international law and the refusal to allow Palestinian pharmaceuticals into East Jerusalem hospitals and pharmacies.
It also revealed that in the Gaza strip, which is under strict closure, the Israeli control over all products that enter and leave the strip yields an absurd situation in which drugs can enter the Gaza Strip. However, no pharmaceutical can leave the strip. Hence, all expired products are left to the care of the receiving Gazan health institutions. This is a heavy burden that requires professional solutions, including toxic waste dump stations and qualified personnel.
Israeli and multinational companies enjoy the aforementioned situation in several ways. From the four largest, originally-Israeli companies (Teva, Perrigo Israel, Taro and Dexcel Pharma), to smaller companies (such as Trima) - all Israeli companies enjoy easy access to the Palestinian market, free of customs and checkpoint disturbances. The Israeli manufacturers and agents do not have to amend any of their products in order to sell them in the OPT. As a result, Israeli and multinational companies can sell drugs that are not labeled in Arabic to an Arabic speaking population. Moreover, a differential pricing policy is applied by multinational companies worldwide according to the population's socio-economic status. This policy, often called "price discrimination", overlooks the situation in the OPT.
Who Profits concluded, the politics of the occupation create a continuation of the structured inequality, in which it is extremely difficult for Palestinians to import raw materials and export pharmaceuticals. The Palestinian pharmaceutical industry suffers from difficulties transferring merchandise from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip. At the same time, Israeli manufacturers can market their products without checkpoints, security checks or special permits. The situation has severe results for the local population, mainly due to higher prices of pharmaceutical products which limit the accessibility of basic healthcare.
1 aug 2012
WHO warns against effects of siege on health sector in Gaza
Mahmoud Daher, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Gaza, said that the health sector has been dramatically affected by the Israeli siege imposed on the Strip.
From a list of 480 essential drugs, Gaza’s health ministry’s medical store is currently missing 206 items, he confirmed, adding that 45 percent of pharmaceutical products are not found in health stores.
There is no funding to purchase medicines, PA and government in Gaza are not able to purchase and fund drugs, he stated.
“As an international association we call on supporting countries, especially Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries, for more support to the health sector particularly the pharmaceutical sector urgently,” Daher said.
The siege that was imposed on the Gaza Strip has created excessive loss and damage in different aspects of the Palestinian health sector. The Gaza Strip has turned into a huge prison with no access to medical supplies.
Daher pointed to the inability to provide fixed financial resources to support the health sector due to poverty and unemployment.
Regarding the future of the health sector in Gaza, he said that the Strip is in deep need for investment projects in the medical sector.
Diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other serious illnesses are the main health problems in Gaza Strip that need a great effort from the government to deal with them, he added.
The WHO representative said that since 1994 the organization has been working to support the medical sector in the Strip through providing the necessary information about the health condition in Gaza to the international community and provide necessary technical support for the advancement of the health sector.
From a list of 480 essential drugs, Gaza’s health ministry’s medical store is currently missing 206 items, he confirmed, adding that 45 percent of pharmaceutical products are not found in health stores.
There is no funding to purchase medicines, PA and government in Gaza are not able to purchase and fund drugs, he stated.
“As an international association we call on supporting countries, especially Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries, for more support to the health sector particularly the pharmaceutical sector urgently,” Daher said.
The siege that was imposed on the Gaza Strip has created excessive loss and damage in different aspects of the Palestinian health sector. The Gaza Strip has turned into a huge prison with no access to medical supplies.
Daher pointed to the inability to provide fixed financial resources to support the health sector due to poverty and unemployment.
Regarding the future of the health sector in Gaza, he said that the Strip is in deep need for investment projects in the medical sector.
Diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other serious illnesses are the main health problems in Gaza Strip that need a great effort from the government to deal with them, he added.
The WHO representative said that since 1994 the organization has been working to support the medical sector in the Strip through providing the necessary information about the health condition in Gaza to the international community and provide necessary technical support for the advancement of the health sector.
26 july 2012
Gaza Patients Referral Office Re-Opens
The Gaza patients' referral office reopened its doors on Thursday and resumed taking requests from patients seeking treatment outside the Gaza Strip, according to local non-governmental organizations.
A statement by the Palestinian Network of Non-Governmental Organization said efforts by various local and international groups have speeded up the reopening of the office after a two-week closure.
The office was closed following disputes between the Ramallah-based Ministry of Health and Gaza-based Hamas health offices over appointment of a new director to the office.
More than 15,000 patients are annually transferred to get needed treatment in hospitals outside the Gaza Strip, mainly at Palestinian hospitals in East Jerusalem.
A statement by the Palestinian Network of Non-Governmental Organization said efforts by various local and international groups have speeded up the reopening of the office after a two-week closure.
The office was closed following disputes between the Ramallah-based Ministry of Health and Gaza-based Hamas health offices over appointment of a new director to the office.
More than 15,000 patients are annually transferred to get needed treatment in hospitals outside the Gaza Strip, mainly at Palestinian hospitals in East Jerusalem.
19 july 2012
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Gaza power cuts put lives at risk
Hospitals in Gaza Strip face what seems to be an endless list of challenges resulting from the six years Israeli blockade on Gaza. In such a list, power cut is still one of the most dangerous and challenging to hospitals. Power in Gaza City is available only on eight-hour cycles, due to the scarcity of fuel. Al-shifa Hospital, the largest in Gaza Strip, has its own large power generator that operates in the times when the power is cut. We visited some of the departments at Al-shifa Hospital to take a closer look on what this problem is all about. In the Neonatal Department, recently born babies were lying in their nurseries in peace, being taken care of by doctors, and connected to a variety of electric medical devices. Doctors here say that any sudden power cut, and if the |
generator doesn’t go off for any reason, be it a technical problem or shortage in fuel, as both are not impossible, a catastrophe can be expected Doctors say that the threat imposed on the lives of these babies because of electricity is inhumane.
Another department that is thought to be most affected by power cuts is the Dialysis Department where 250 patients visit regularly. This department has its fair share of the suffering.
Patients here are the best to understand and express the suffering power cuts put upon them.
As patients and doctors try to make their voices heard, the problem doesn’t seem to have a solution in the foreseeable future. The ultimate solution for them is the lifting of the Israeli unjust blockade.
As the Israeli blockade on Gaza continues, scarcity of fuel affects Palestinians daily lives. As a result of that, power cuts present a constant challenge to hospitals operations in Gaza.
Another department that is thought to be most affected by power cuts is the Dialysis Department where 250 patients visit regularly. This department has its fair share of the suffering.
Patients here are the best to understand and express the suffering power cuts put upon them.
As patients and doctors try to make their voices heard, the problem doesn’t seem to have a solution in the foreseeable future. The ultimate solution for them is the lifting of the Israeli unjust blockade.
As the Israeli blockade on Gaza continues, scarcity of fuel affects Palestinians daily lives. As a result of that, power cuts present a constant challenge to hospitals operations in Gaza.
Dispute within Health Ministries Keeps Gaza Transfer Patients Stranded
A dispute between the Ramallah-based Ministry of Health and its Gaza counterpart left many Gaza patients seeking transfer papers to get treatment outside the Gaza Strip stranded, a rights group said on Thursday.
The dispute began earlier this week when the Gaza Ministry of Health, which is run by Hamas, has ordered closed the transfer office in Gaza following a decision by the Ramallah Ministry of Health of the Palestinian Authority to replace the director of the office.
The Hamas authority rejected the change in the post, stressing that it was agreed three years ago that any changes should be done in coordination between the two offices.
However, the new PA Minister of Health Hani Abdeen decided to change the director in what he has termed was a step necessary to improve services to the patients.
Hamas security men raided the office after the change was made and ordered the new director appointed by Abdeen and all staff to leave the premise, virtually closing it down.
Gaza’s Palestinian Center for Human Rights protested in a statement issued Thursday the closure of the office, warning of its negative impact on thousands of Gaza patients who seek treatment abroad. Around 9,000 patients received transfer papers since the beginning of this year.
It recalled a similar dispute in 2009 during which the office was closed for more than one month causing death of 10 patients who were not able to get transfer papers to get badly needed treatment at specialized hospitals outside the Gaza Strip.
The dispute began earlier this week when the Gaza Ministry of Health, which is run by Hamas, has ordered closed the transfer office in Gaza following a decision by the Ramallah Ministry of Health of the Palestinian Authority to replace the director of the office.
The Hamas authority rejected the change in the post, stressing that it was agreed three years ago that any changes should be done in coordination between the two offices.
However, the new PA Minister of Health Hani Abdeen decided to change the director in what he has termed was a step necessary to improve services to the patients.
Hamas security men raided the office after the change was made and ordered the new director appointed by Abdeen and all staff to leave the premise, virtually closing it down.
Gaza’s Palestinian Center for Human Rights protested in a statement issued Thursday the closure of the office, warning of its negative impact on thousands of Gaza patients who seek treatment abroad. Around 9,000 patients received transfer papers since the beginning of this year.
It recalled a similar dispute in 2009 during which the office was closed for more than one month causing death of 10 patients who were not able to get transfer papers to get badly needed treatment at specialized hospitals outside the Gaza Strip.
18 july 2012
Patients and escorts from Gaza arrested on way to medical care
Dear colleagues,
PHR Israel wishes to alert a continuation of Israel’s policy of arresting patients and those who escort them, using their need to enter Israel for medical treatment. It is important to mention that the long occupation and closure and the economic situation significantly contributed to the under development of the health system in Gaza causing it to be highly dependent on referrals to Israel or via Israel to the West Bank and East Jerusalem medical centers. This makes patients from Gaza an extremely vulnerable group.
PHR Israel had recently learnt on 3 cases were medical needs were used to detain people:
Rawhy Fouad Qarqaz: 42 yr. old (Married + 3 children). Suffers from severe knee pains and diagnosed with a meniscus derangements. On May 31, 2012 he was referred to MakassedHopital in East Jerusalem for orthopedic management. On June 18 PHR receives his file and sends a request (June 24) to allow his exist from Gaza for treatment. Following different correspondence PHR Israel receives a letter from the Israel DCO stating that “the authorized bodies decided to summon Mr. RawhyQarqaz to a "security interview", that will take place in Erez Crossing, on July 15th at 08:00”. PHR Israel passed this response to Mr. Qarqaz, emphasizing that this is not an easy thing and he should think whether he wishes to take this interview or not. To our deep dismay, the interview was used to arrest him.
Ahmad Chala: 25yr. old: A brother to Bila’l Chala, 8 yr. old. Bilal underwent a bone marrow transplant and suffered from complications that necessitating a prolonged hospitalization Schneider Children Medical Center. Ahmad asked for a permit to replace his mother who needed to come back to Gaza, and stay by his brother’s side. Being told he was granted a permit, Ahmad reached Erez Crossing on July 2nd only to be arrested on the spot. Ahmad and Bilal’s father. whose permit requests were denied twice is now afraid to apply again though he wishes to replace his wife after she went a breakdown following her son's arrest.
Wa’il Kamil Muhammad Al-Taweel: 40 yr. old. According to field information collected by Al Mezan, (the following is taken from Al Mezan's update) he was arrested at Bayt Hanoun crossing after he left his house heading for the crossing at around 8:00 a.m. on Sunday to attend an “interview”with the Israeli intelligence apparatus, with the aim of obtaining medical treatment abroad. According to Al Mezan, he received a referral on 6 June 2012, and obtained an appointment for 5 July 2012 at Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem.
The Office of Health Coordination, which is responsible for arranging Gazan patients’ passage through BaytHanoun crossing, notified him on July 5th that he needs to go to the crossing for an interview with Israeli intelligence. He went at roughly 8:00 am and returned home exhausted around 6:30 pm. He told his wife that he had been subjected to a full search and interrogation at the crossing, during which he was struck in the face, had his hair pulled, and was held in an underground cell.
At-Taweel stayed in his home Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, then on Sunday morning (8 July 2012) received a phone call from the Office of Health Coordination telling him to attend another interview with Israeli intelligence. He left his home for the crossing and did not return, according to his family. At around 10:00 pm they received a phone call informing them that the patient had been detained in Ashkelon prison. Al-Taweel is prohibited an attorney visit and thus it is unknown what methods are used in his interrogaton and how it effects his already vulnerable medical condition. Past experience shows that those sometimes amount to cruel and inhuman treatment.
PHR Israel wishes to alert a continuation of Israel’s policy of arresting patients and those who escort them, using their need to enter Israel for medical treatment. It is important to mention that the long occupation and closure and the economic situation significantly contributed to the under development of the health system in Gaza causing it to be highly dependent on referrals to Israel or via Israel to the West Bank and East Jerusalem medical centers. This makes patients from Gaza an extremely vulnerable group.
PHR Israel had recently learnt on 3 cases were medical needs were used to detain people:
Rawhy Fouad Qarqaz: 42 yr. old (Married + 3 children). Suffers from severe knee pains and diagnosed with a meniscus derangements. On May 31, 2012 he was referred to MakassedHopital in East Jerusalem for orthopedic management. On June 18 PHR receives his file and sends a request (June 24) to allow his exist from Gaza for treatment. Following different correspondence PHR Israel receives a letter from the Israel DCO stating that “the authorized bodies decided to summon Mr. RawhyQarqaz to a "security interview", that will take place in Erez Crossing, on July 15th at 08:00”. PHR Israel passed this response to Mr. Qarqaz, emphasizing that this is not an easy thing and he should think whether he wishes to take this interview or not. To our deep dismay, the interview was used to arrest him.
Ahmad Chala: 25yr. old: A brother to Bila’l Chala, 8 yr. old. Bilal underwent a bone marrow transplant and suffered from complications that necessitating a prolonged hospitalization Schneider Children Medical Center. Ahmad asked for a permit to replace his mother who needed to come back to Gaza, and stay by his brother’s side. Being told he was granted a permit, Ahmad reached Erez Crossing on July 2nd only to be arrested on the spot. Ahmad and Bilal’s father. whose permit requests were denied twice is now afraid to apply again though he wishes to replace his wife after she went a breakdown following her son's arrest.
Wa’il Kamil Muhammad Al-Taweel: 40 yr. old. According to field information collected by Al Mezan, (the following is taken from Al Mezan's update) he was arrested at Bayt Hanoun crossing after he left his house heading for the crossing at around 8:00 a.m. on Sunday to attend an “interview”with the Israeli intelligence apparatus, with the aim of obtaining medical treatment abroad. According to Al Mezan, he received a referral on 6 June 2012, and obtained an appointment for 5 July 2012 at Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem.
The Office of Health Coordination, which is responsible for arranging Gazan patients’ passage through BaytHanoun crossing, notified him on July 5th that he needs to go to the crossing for an interview with Israeli intelligence. He went at roughly 8:00 am and returned home exhausted around 6:30 pm. He told his wife that he had been subjected to a full search and interrogation at the crossing, during which he was struck in the face, had his hair pulled, and was held in an underground cell.
At-Taweel stayed in his home Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, then on Sunday morning (8 July 2012) received a phone call from the Office of Health Coordination telling him to attend another interview with Israeli intelligence. He left his home for the crossing and did not return, according to his family. At around 10:00 pm they received a phone call informing them that the patient had been detained in Ashkelon prison. Al-Taweel is prohibited an attorney visit and thus it is unknown what methods are used in his interrogaton and how it effects his already vulnerable medical condition. Past experience shows that those sometimes amount to cruel and inhuman treatment.
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Spy Or Die - Israel/Palestine
With Gaza devoid of medical care, the critically ill must travel to Israel. There they are asked to comply with Israeli intelligence before treatment. Become a hated informer? Or refuse and wait to die? With Gaza blockaded, only a fortunate few are able to get through Erez crossing, the only passenger crossing that remains between Gaza and Israel. It took 6 months to secure a permit for my daughter says Majed, whose daughter needs an urgent operation. Even after securing a permit the struggle isnt over. Once in Israel, desperate and weak patients like 27 year old Khitam are often subjected to rigorous cross-examination. When I finally went in I was interrogated for 2 hours Khitam says, they asked me about the resistance, gave me a pen and paper and asked for names. Since the war, Israeli intelligence has used Palestinian informers to target militant leaders, especially those involved in Hamas. When Khitam told the intelligence that she didnt know anything, that shed spent the last 9 months lying in a hospital bed, they accused her of being involved in Hamas and sent her back to Gaza. I will die, thats it. Theres nothing else I can do she says frankly. Khitam has no choice, but with the threat of Palestinian wrath hanging over becoming an informer, more and more Palestinians are opting to die. For more information: www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2009/jun/11/gaza-israel |
(video Jun 15, 2009)
Conclusion: For several years PHR Israel witnessed the abuse of Palestinian Patients by the Israel Security Agency (Shabac): they are told that a permit is waiting for them at Erez Crossing, or are invited for an “interview” on which they are told their permit depends. Once they reach the crossing they are arrested or harshly interrogated (see: Holding Health to Ransom: GSS Interrogation and Extortion of Palestinian Patients at Erez Crossing 2008 and Adalah, Al Mezan and PHR-I press release 2011). Following PHR Israel’s correspondence, we were notified by the Prime Ministers’ office that Israel saves for itself the right to arrest individuals who ask to enter Israel for medical reasons following intelligence information that indicates they pose a security risk. While PHR Israel does not doubts Israel’s right to conduct a security examination for those wishing to enter or pass through its territory, It does view the policy described as exploiting desperate medical needs to manipulate and mislead individuals into arrests. This policy amounts to conditioning access to healthcare on one's willingness to come to the interview, a procedure now feared by many – as they hear of the arrests that followed such “invitations”. This policy also harms the trust of the patients in human rights organizations who – in the process of advocating for their permits – are notified by the authorities of the interview, and in their turn notify the patient. PHR Israel therefore demands: Requests for permits for medical treatment will not be used for arrests or illegal interrogations (that use threats, extortions or cruel inhuman, and degrading treatment). Israel has other methods to arrests individuals if it so wishes. Patients now in detention will be immediately allowed to see a physician they trust. Their medical need is obvious as all medical reports were handed to authorities with their request for a permit. Please share your concern with the Israeli authorities at this harmful policy, for further information: hadas@phr.org.il sincerely, Hadas Ziv Public Outreach Physicians for Human Rights Israel |
13 july 2012
Gaza's Health Ministry conducting 8000 catheter operation and 800 heart surgery
The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that it has conducted, since the start of the siege on Gaza over 8000 diagnostic and therapeutic catheterizations and pacemaker implantations, as well as 800 open-heart surgeries.
The Ministry revealed, in a report published within "building the homeland" campaign, that the first pacemaker was implanted on 15 May 2009, noting that it was keen to provide such services in order to mitigate the suffering of the patients and save huge sums of money.
The ministry added that it had opened a cardiac catheterization center, which is the first and only one in the Gaza Strip, on 18/11/2006 to serve about 1.7 million people, pointing out that the first two therapeutic catheter operations had been conducted on 11May 2008 for two patients who had been suffering from severe narrowing in the coronary arteries.
It stated that the catheterization center collects diagnostic and therapeutic fees estimated at about 50.000 shekels monthly, equivalent to 150-180 thousand dollars a year, noting that 7 cases have died in the center.
Dr Mohamed Habib, Head of Cardiac Catheterization Center in the European Gaza hospital said that the Center aims at providing the diagnostic and therapeutic catheter service for the heart as well as the coronary and peripheral arteries at home without having to travel abroad, and at closing the file of treatment from heart disease abroad.
He also stated that a local crew including cardiologists and nurses have been trained on conducting catheterization, noting that the center is keen to conduct scientific research and to frequently organize scientific conferences on this field.
Dr. Habib said that 5600 cases of diagnostic catheterization, 850 cases of therapeutic catheterization and 95 pacemaker's implants have been conducted in the center, in addition to scores of cases that underwent angiograms through the esophagus, and coronary and peripheral diagnostic catheterization.
The Ministry said in its report that the first center for open-heart surgery in Gaza was founded in 1998 with support from the Egyptian Republic and started working at the beginning of the year 2010 after equipping it with the staff and resources, noting that the first open-heart surgery was conducted on 17/1/2010.
Meanwhile, Dr. Marwan Yaghi, an advisory and heart surgeon, said that the Gaza Strip needs, daily, from 1 to 3 open-heart surgeries, pointing out that an operation abroad (as in the West Bank and Egypt may cost from $ 10,000 to $ 15,000.
He confirmed that the ministry is working to set up more open-heart surgery centers, and that it is currently preparing for opening a heart surgery center in the European Gaza Hospital.
Dr. Yaghi pointed to the obstacles facing the center, including the shortage of medicines and medical consumables, the siege and all its components and crises, and the shortage in human staff, expressing his hope for supporting more training programs for the medical staff.
The Ministry revealed, in a report published within "building the homeland" campaign, that the first pacemaker was implanted on 15 May 2009, noting that it was keen to provide such services in order to mitigate the suffering of the patients and save huge sums of money.
The ministry added that it had opened a cardiac catheterization center, which is the first and only one in the Gaza Strip, on 18/11/2006 to serve about 1.7 million people, pointing out that the first two therapeutic catheter operations had been conducted on 11May 2008 for two patients who had been suffering from severe narrowing in the coronary arteries.
It stated that the catheterization center collects diagnostic and therapeutic fees estimated at about 50.000 shekels monthly, equivalent to 150-180 thousand dollars a year, noting that 7 cases have died in the center.
Dr Mohamed Habib, Head of Cardiac Catheterization Center in the European Gaza hospital said that the Center aims at providing the diagnostic and therapeutic catheter service for the heart as well as the coronary and peripheral arteries at home without having to travel abroad, and at closing the file of treatment from heart disease abroad.
He also stated that a local crew including cardiologists and nurses have been trained on conducting catheterization, noting that the center is keen to conduct scientific research and to frequently organize scientific conferences on this field.
Dr. Habib said that 5600 cases of diagnostic catheterization, 850 cases of therapeutic catheterization and 95 pacemaker's implants have been conducted in the center, in addition to scores of cases that underwent angiograms through the esophagus, and coronary and peripheral diagnostic catheterization.
The Ministry said in its report that the first center for open-heart surgery in Gaza was founded in 1998 with support from the Egyptian Republic and started working at the beginning of the year 2010 after equipping it with the staff and resources, noting that the first open-heart surgery was conducted on 17/1/2010.
Meanwhile, Dr. Marwan Yaghi, an advisory and heart surgeon, said that the Gaza Strip needs, daily, from 1 to 3 open-heart surgeries, pointing out that an operation abroad (as in the West Bank and Egypt may cost from $ 10,000 to $ 15,000.
He confirmed that the ministry is working to set up more open-heart surgery centers, and that it is currently preparing for opening a heart surgery center in the European Gaza Hospital.
Dr. Yaghi pointed to the obstacles facing the center, including the shortage of medicines and medical consumables, the siege and all its components and crises, and the shortage in human staff, expressing his hope for supporting more training programs for the medical staff.
8 july 2012
Activists from aid convoy enter Gaza
EL-ARISH, Egypt (Ma’an) – A delegation of 40 international solidarity activists from different countries entered the Gaza Strip on Saturday afternoon via Egypt’s Rafah crossing.
An Egyptian security source at the terminal said the activists were part of the international aid convoy Miles of Smiles 14.
The group left humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip which will be sent later.
The aid includes, according to the source, 14 vehicles for disabled people in addition to medicines and an x-ray machine. The cargo is being checked at Alexandria port.
An Egyptian security source at the terminal said the activists were part of the international aid convoy Miles of Smiles 14.
The group left humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip which will be sent later.
The aid includes, according to the source, 14 vehicles for disabled people in addition to medicines and an x-ray machine. The cargo is being checked at Alexandria port.
7 july 2012
Italian medical aid en route to Gaza via Egypt
EL-ARISH (Ma’an) -- Egyptian authorities have completed preparations and checks to allow the entry of Italian medical aid into the Gaza Strip through its Rafah crossing Saturday afternoon.
An Egyptian security source in the northern Sinai Peninsula city of El-Arish said the medical aid was a donation by the organization Music for Peace in cooperation with the Italian Red Cross.
The donation consists of seven ambulances, a special vehicle for disabled people and six containers of medicines and medical equipment, the Egyptian source told Ma’an.
The donation was received by the Egyptian Red Crescent society in El-Arish, then it was delivered to the Egyptian side at the Rafah crossing to be transferred to the coastal enclave in the afternoon.
An Egyptian security source in the northern Sinai Peninsula city of El-Arish said the medical aid was a donation by the organization Music for Peace in cooperation with the Italian Red Cross.
The donation consists of seven ambulances, a special vehicle for disabled people and six containers of medicines and medical equipment, the Egyptian source told Ma’an.
The donation was received by the Egyptian Red Crescent society in El-Arish, then it was delivered to the Egyptian side at the Rafah crossing to be transferred to the coastal enclave in the afternoon.
4 july 2012
Gaza health ministry renews warning of unprecedented pharmaceutical crisis
There are many heart patients whose lives threatened by the pharmaceutical crisis
GAZA, (PIC)-- The Palestinian ministry of health in Gaza has warned that the health situation in the besieged Gaza Strip is getting worse as hundreds of medicines and medical consumables are gradually running out from hospitals and medical centers.
Spokesman for the health ministry Ashraf Al-Qudra stated that there are serious indicators that the pharmaceutical and health crisis in Gaza would deteriorate very badly if this situation persisted.
The spokesman warned that the severity of the health crisis may turn very ugly to the extent that it would be hard to control it by the ongoing international efforts to contain it.
He said that as the month of June ended, the balance of medical supplies reached a very disturbing level after 206 types of essential medicines and 266 medical consumables completely ran out from hospitals, test labs, primary care centers and blood banks.
GAZA, (PIC)-- The Palestinian ministry of health in Gaza has warned that the health situation in the besieged Gaza Strip is getting worse as hundreds of medicines and medical consumables are gradually running out from hospitals and medical centers.
Spokesman for the health ministry Ashraf Al-Qudra stated that there are serious indicators that the pharmaceutical and health crisis in Gaza would deteriorate very badly if this situation persisted.
The spokesman warned that the severity of the health crisis may turn very ugly to the extent that it would be hard to control it by the ongoing international efforts to contain it.
He said that as the month of June ended, the balance of medical supplies reached a very disturbing level after 206 types of essential medicines and 266 medical consumables completely ran out from hospitals, test labs, primary care centers and blood banks.
27 june 2012
Sawasiya center to prosecute PA health ministry for causing Gaza drug crisis
Sawasiya center for human rights said it has prepared a lawsuit against the Palestinian authority health ministry in Ramallah for its direct responsibility for the pharmaceutical crisis plaguing the health sector in the Gaza Strip.
In a press release, Sawasiya affirmed that it had conducted investigation proving that the PA health ministry is responsible for the crisis of medicines in Gaza.
The center added that it decided in coordination with the Palestinian association for human rights-Monitor to file a lawsuit against this health ministry with a Palestinian court in the West Bank to oblige it to fulfill its legal obligations towards the health sector in Gaza.
The center noted that the PA health ministry avoided its legal obligations and deliberately did not send to Gaza its allocation of medicines and medical supplies according to the tenders approved for suppliers.
It said it had evidence proving that the PA health ministry asked the suppliers not to send any shipments of medical supplies to Gaza.
For its part, the health ministry in Gaza said in a report that 253 out of 460 types of main medicines ran out from its stores and 66 others are only sufficient for three months.
It added that 211 out of 900 types of medical consumables are out of stock and the balance of 136 other types covers the needs of hospitals for only three months.
In a press release, Sawasiya affirmed that it had conducted investigation proving that the PA health ministry is responsible for the crisis of medicines in Gaza.
The center added that it decided in coordination with the Palestinian association for human rights-Monitor to file a lawsuit against this health ministry with a Palestinian court in the West Bank to oblige it to fulfill its legal obligations towards the health sector in Gaza.
The center noted that the PA health ministry avoided its legal obligations and deliberately did not send to Gaza its allocation of medicines and medical supplies according to the tenders approved for suppliers.
It said it had evidence proving that the PA health ministry asked the suppliers not to send any shipments of medical supplies to Gaza.
For its part, the health ministry in Gaza said in a report that 253 out of 460 types of main medicines ran out from its stores and 66 others are only sufficient for three months.
It added that 211 out of 900 types of medical consumables are out of stock and the balance of 136 other types covers the needs of hospitals for only three months.
20 june 2012
Health ministry: Gaza is free of any epidemic
The Palestinian health ministry categorically denied the spread of epidemics resistant to antibiotics in the Gaza Strip.
Director of the preventive medicine department Magdi Duheir stated the rumors about the spread of antibiotics-resistant diseases caused by bacteria MRSA and Staphylococcus Aureus are untrue.
Duheir told Quds Press that no hospital in Gaza reported such infections or deaths related to these bacteria and there was no single medical case kept in quarantine.
The health official affirmed that the figures rumored by Israeli sources about people who were allegedly infected with or died of such bacteria are completely unfounded and do not reflect the health reality in Gaza, adding that if any epidemic broke out, the health ministry would hasten to report it to the world health organization.
Director of the preventive medicine department Magdi Duheir stated the rumors about the spread of antibiotics-resistant diseases caused by bacteria MRSA and Staphylococcus Aureus are untrue.
Duheir told Quds Press that no hospital in Gaza reported such infections or deaths related to these bacteria and there was no single medical case kept in quarantine.
The health official affirmed that the figures rumored by Israeli sources about people who were allegedly infected with or died of such bacteria are completely unfounded and do not reflect the health reality in Gaza, adding that if any epidemic broke out, the health ministry would hasten to report it to the world health organization.
19 june 2012
Majority of Gaza Patients Got Permits, yet 5 were Denied, says WHO
While the Israeli authorities gave 849 out of 883 patients who requested permits to leave the Gaza Strip to get medical treatment elsewhere, five patients were denied permits and 29, including six children, were not able to attend treatment on time due to delays in getting permit, a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.
In its monthly report on Gaza patients who needed permit to cross Beit Hanoun (Erez) checkpoint with Israel to seek treatment not available in Gaza hospitals, WHO said approval rate reached 96% in May, the highest ever.
Yet, it added, five patients were denied a permit for medical access, and 29 patients, including six children, had their medical care delayed since their permit request was not responded to in time for their hospital appointment.
The report said nine female and 10 male patients were called for interrogation by the Israeli General Security Services (GSS). Following their interrogation, seven patients were still waiting for a GSS response, eight were approved, three were asked to submit a new request, and one was denied.
WHO said of the total referral cases made by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 63% were destined for treatment in Palestinian hospitals in the occupied territories. The rest would go to hospitals in Israel, Jordan or abroad.
In its monthly report on Gaza patients who needed permit to cross Beit Hanoun (Erez) checkpoint with Israel to seek treatment not available in Gaza hospitals, WHO said approval rate reached 96% in May, the highest ever.
Yet, it added, five patients were denied a permit for medical access, and 29 patients, including six children, had their medical care delayed since their permit request was not responded to in time for their hospital appointment.
The report said nine female and 10 male patients were called for interrogation by the Israeli General Security Services (GSS). Following their interrogation, seven patients were still waiting for a GSS response, eight were approved, three were asked to submit a new request, and one was denied.
WHO said of the total referral cases made by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 63% were destined for treatment in Palestinian hospitals in the occupied territories. The rest would go to hospitals in Israel, Jordan or abroad.
15 june 2012
Ministry of Health shuts down Hebron hospital
Aya al-Froukh
HEBRON (Ma’an) -- The Palestinian Authority Minister of Health on Thursday ordered the closure of a private hospital in Hebron following complaints of medical negligence.
Hani Abdein issued the decision at the recommendation of a Special Commission of Inquiry set up by the ministry to investigate the hospital following several complaints from the public.
On May 5, Aya al-Froukh, 21, died four days after undergoing stomach reduction surgery at the hospital. Her father blamed medical negligence for her death.
The commission's report said the hospital had been working without a license since April 2010. The license was not renewed due to concerns over the hospital's safety which were not addressed despite a number of notices issued by the ministry, the report said.
The hospital's general director Sad al-Din al-Muhtaseb told Ma'an he had not been informed of any reason for the closure of the hospital but said the ministry had agreed to reopen the hospital if it met requirements.
He called on the ministry to identify these requirements.
HEBRON (Ma’an) -- The Palestinian Authority Minister of Health on Thursday ordered the closure of a private hospital in Hebron following complaints of medical negligence.
Hani Abdein issued the decision at the recommendation of a Special Commission of Inquiry set up by the ministry to investigate the hospital following several complaints from the public.
On May 5, Aya al-Froukh, 21, died four days after undergoing stomach reduction surgery at the hospital. Her father blamed medical negligence for her death.
The commission's report said the hospital had been working without a license since April 2010. The license was not renewed due to concerns over the hospital's safety which were not addressed despite a number of notices issued by the ministry, the report said.
The hospital's general director Sad al-Din al-Muhtaseb told Ma'an he had not been informed of any reason for the closure of the hospital but said the ministry had agreed to reopen the hospital if it met requirements.
He called on the ministry to identify these requirements.
10 june 2012
Gaza baby severely burnt in hospital blunder
Abdul-Hay Safia suffered second degree burns to 45 percent of his body when he was 51 days old.
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Abdul-Hay Safia was 51 days old when he was admitted to Nasr hospital in Gaza City to treat a cough and congestion.
Nine days later the baby was in a serious condition, with second degree burns to 45 percent of his lower body, according to hospital reports of the incident on March 11 seen by Ma'an.
The child's father, Amr Abu Safia, told Ma'an a nurse at the hospital immersed the baby in boiling water, and the resulting burns had damaged his nervous system, urinary tract and genitals.
Abdul-Hay was transferred to Gaza City's main facility, Shifa hospital, without informing the family, Abu Safia said. When the family arrived in Shifa doctors said the baby had been transferred to Israel's Rambam hospital as Gaza did not have the medicines to treat him.
Adbul-Hay spent one month in the Israeli hospital's neurology department before returning to Gaza, where he continues to be treated.
Amr Abu Safia's wife suffered a nervous breakdown when she first saw the condition of her child, he said. The father is now calling on Gazan authorities to afford him his rights in the case.
Gaza ministry of health official Yousif al-Mudallal said the office had established a fact-finding committee which found the nurse's action was unintentional, and she and the ministry had expressed regret.
"The committee said the nurse checked the water temperature depending on her hand, and she thought the temperature was appropriate for bathing the baby, but her estimations proved wrong," he added.
He said the nurse had a number of days deducted from her salary, and administrative procedures were taken at the hospital to avoid the same mistake.
Al-Mudallal said the ministry is committed to pay for the baby's treatment until recovery, and the family is eligible for compensation for permanent disabilities.
Legal Assistance Director at Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights Mervat al-Nahal said their department would follow the case, and called for a serious inquiry by the Ministry of Health.
Under the Palestinian penal code, al-Nahal explained, a lack of intent to harm as found by the committee does not take away criminal responsibility. If negligence or recklessness is proved, the penalty is up to three years in jail, she said.
Many citizens are not aware of their right to compensation, she said, noting that such a legal case was not an attempt to target anyone, but to improve the level of medical services provided by hospitals and ensure respect for the rule of law.
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Abdul-Hay Safia was 51 days old when he was admitted to Nasr hospital in Gaza City to treat a cough and congestion.
Nine days later the baby was in a serious condition, with second degree burns to 45 percent of his lower body, according to hospital reports of the incident on March 11 seen by Ma'an.
The child's father, Amr Abu Safia, told Ma'an a nurse at the hospital immersed the baby in boiling water, and the resulting burns had damaged his nervous system, urinary tract and genitals.
Abdul-Hay was transferred to Gaza City's main facility, Shifa hospital, without informing the family, Abu Safia said. When the family arrived in Shifa doctors said the baby had been transferred to Israel's Rambam hospital as Gaza did not have the medicines to treat him.
Adbul-Hay spent one month in the Israeli hospital's neurology department before returning to Gaza, where he continues to be treated.
Amr Abu Safia's wife suffered a nervous breakdown when she first saw the condition of her child, he said. The father is now calling on Gazan authorities to afford him his rights in the case.
Gaza ministry of health official Yousif al-Mudallal said the office had established a fact-finding committee which found the nurse's action was unintentional, and she and the ministry had expressed regret.
"The committee said the nurse checked the water temperature depending on her hand, and she thought the temperature was appropriate for bathing the baby, but her estimations proved wrong," he added.
He said the nurse had a number of days deducted from her salary, and administrative procedures were taken at the hospital to avoid the same mistake.
Al-Mudallal said the ministry is committed to pay for the baby's treatment until recovery, and the family is eligible for compensation for permanent disabilities.
Legal Assistance Director at Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights Mervat al-Nahal said their department would follow the case, and called for a serious inquiry by the Ministry of Health.
Under the Palestinian penal code, al-Nahal explained, a lack of intent to harm as found by the committee does not take away criminal responsibility. If negligence or recklessness is proved, the penalty is up to three years in jail, she said.
Many citizens are not aware of their right to compensation, she said, noting that such a legal case was not an attempt to target anyone, but to improve the level of medical services provided by hospitals and ensure respect for the rule of law.
Gaza-bound aid convoy arrives at Rafah crossing
EL-ARISH, Egypt (Ma’an) -- An international aid convoy arrived at the Rafah land crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip on Sunday, an Egyptian medical official said.
Head of the Egyptian Red Crescent, Jaber al-Arabi, told Ma'an that the aid convoy, which arrived from el-Arish, contains 30 tons of medicine and medical equipment.
Over 100 international activists were on board the convoy.
Egyptian security forces checked the contents and trucks from Gaza will carry the medicine across.
Israel intensified its land, sea and air blockade of Gaza in 2007 when Hamas took control of the coastal strip.
In May, Egypt opened the Rafah crossing on its border with Gaza, allowing some residents to leave for the first time in years. The terminal is not equipped for the transfer of goods, and residents still rely on underground tunnels to smuggle in goods from Egypt.
Head of the Egyptian Red Crescent, Jaber al-Arabi, told Ma'an that the aid convoy, which arrived from el-Arish, contains 30 tons of medicine and medical equipment.
Over 100 international activists were on board the convoy.
Egyptian security forces checked the contents and trucks from Gaza will carry the medicine across.
Israel intensified its land, sea and air blockade of Gaza in 2007 when Hamas took control of the coastal strip.
In May, Egypt opened the Rafah crossing on its border with Gaza, allowing some residents to leave for the first time in years. The terminal is not equipped for the transfer of goods, and residents still rely on underground tunnels to smuggle in goods from Egypt.
5 june 2012
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'Israel, threat to Egypt national security'
Egypt considers the Palestinian issue as one of its domestic issues because Palestine is part of the strategic defense of Egypt, a prominent analyst tells Press TV. Press TV has conducted an interview with Aly el-Kabbany, political analyst, to further discuss the current Egyptian political climate and its implications for the people of Palestine and Egypt. The following is a rough transcription of the interview. Press TV: We saw their report onto the hardships suffered in Gaza. How important is foreign policy to the people of Egypt now in these elections? El-Kabbany: Actually one of the main goals of the Egyptian revolution was to get rid of that old regime of the ousted Hosni Mubarak because of the humiliation he caused Egypt. |
The Egyptians all over their history were always supporting their Arab neighbors and since 1948 they were supporting the Palestinian brothers to get their legitimate rights out of this colonial settlement of the Zionist in their land.
And Egyptian people paid blood and money to support their Palestinian brothers so they were really humiliated when they saw Hosni Mubarak became a strategic treasure for the Zionist entity as declared by many of their ministers and the famous saying of the ex-defense minister of Israel when he said that we lost a strategic treasure in Hosni Mubarak.
And it is not only him who was a strategic treasure for them. It is all his regime and the members of that regime. So part of the revolution was to let Egypt become independent again and regain its sovereignty and not become a client state for the Zionist entity and the West.
Press TV: It is said in British politics that foreign policies only ever lose elections because people say we do not want to know, do not go, they stick to what is going to concern Britain.
Is that the same in Egyptian politics or are people now very inflamed about Palestine and about the injustice visited on them so they will cast their vote with that in mind?
El-Kabbany: I agree that domestic issues take priority in any election and in any revolution but the Palestinian issue is one of our domestic issues because Palestine is part of the strategic defense of Egypt.
So once we have Israel there it is a threat to the national security of Egypt and the Egyptians.
So we are helping the Palestinians because they are our brothers but we are helping ourselves because having our enemy on our border and regaining Sinai for example after the surrender treaty of Camp David, we got Sinai back and we lost the sovereignty of Egypt and the independence of Egypt and this is what the Egyptian people launched the revolution [for] to restore their sovereignty and their dignity.
Press TV: We will be coming back very quickly, very soon but to sum it up quickly where are you at now with the Egyptian elections and what pressure is Israel putting on?
El-Kabbany: Again Ahmed Shafiq for example, the two frontrunners, Dr. Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood and Shafiq of the old regime, Israel and all the Israeli ministers are saying that if Shafiq comes back it is back to square one and we are back to the normal relations.
That is why my feeling is that Dr. Morsi will have an overwhelming majority in the second round and he will be the coming president of Egypt because I cannot imagine that the Egyptians will vote for the remnant of the old regime.
People were surprised that Safiq won but he got only the votes of the remnants.
Press TV: Just to ask you Aly on the back of that, Palestine the heart of the Muslim world, wouldn’t an Egyptian’s strong stance against Israel in these elections restore national pride and some pro-national pride across the pan-Arab pride?
El-Kabbany: Absolutely, but I just like to disagree with the professor in saying the Arab countries. It is actually the Arab people because the Arab regimes failed Palestine.
If the Arab regimes were listening to their own people, Palestine would have been liberated long time ago. But we had regimes appointed by the West and they are serving the interests of the West and transformed the Arab states into client state to the United States of America.
So the day the Arab people get back their sovereignty in their hands and rule themselves through democratic representatives we will actually in my opinion defeat the propaganda of Israel.
Press TV: Fine but what about that legendary 3 billion dollars in military aid from America every year? If the Muslim Brotherhood does win these elections and that gets cut, there is going to be a lot of unhappy Egyptian people. How can you cope with that?
El-Kabbany: As you exactly said Lauren, these are military subsides to Egypt and they are giving Egypt military arsenal on condition that it is not used against Israel. So we will use it against who, our brothers in Libya or Sudan?
We do not need this military aid if the condition is not to use it against Israel.
So Egypt and the Egyptian economy and the Egyptian people will lose nothing. It might upset the military council in Egypt because they are getting all this military equipment but for me if it is not to be used against the Israeli enemy so they are useless. And Egypt does not have a regional enemy except the Israeli entity.
So really that aid is useless and Egypt does not need it and it will not affect the economy of Egypt.
Press TV: So in that way has been in the US interest to have a police and an army state of course in Egypt keeping those secure ties with Israel imposing that siege?
El-Kabbany: Exactly it is a bribe paid to the Egyptian government to keep this Camp David surrender treaty, enforce and to avoid really the Egyptian army going against Israel and keeping Egypt as a client state to the Americans.
Press TV: And just finally the pipelines explosions that we have been reading about were by oil and I think gas traveling to Israel have been interrupted. Have these been black operations by Israeli intelligence or are they genuine feelings to stop contact?
El-Kabbany: This is genuine feeling by the Egyptian people to stop any trade with the Israeli entity especially this is the wealth of Egypt sold below the market price to the Israelis.
So they tried many times to repair it but they cannot guard it 24 hours and it is a long pipeline so the Egyptian people declared their position towards the Israeli enemy by cutting this supply until the military council themselves they cancelled the treaty and they stopped exporting the oil and gas to Israel.
Because first if they want the gas and oil of Egypt they have to pay the market price but as the West says it is a free trade, if we do not want to sell to them why are we forced to sell to them?
And Egyptian people paid blood and money to support their Palestinian brothers so they were really humiliated when they saw Hosni Mubarak became a strategic treasure for the Zionist entity as declared by many of their ministers and the famous saying of the ex-defense minister of Israel when he said that we lost a strategic treasure in Hosni Mubarak.
And it is not only him who was a strategic treasure for them. It is all his regime and the members of that regime. So part of the revolution was to let Egypt become independent again and regain its sovereignty and not become a client state for the Zionist entity and the West.
Press TV: It is said in British politics that foreign policies only ever lose elections because people say we do not want to know, do not go, they stick to what is going to concern Britain.
Is that the same in Egyptian politics or are people now very inflamed about Palestine and about the injustice visited on them so they will cast their vote with that in mind?
El-Kabbany: I agree that domestic issues take priority in any election and in any revolution but the Palestinian issue is one of our domestic issues because Palestine is part of the strategic defense of Egypt.
So once we have Israel there it is a threat to the national security of Egypt and the Egyptians.
So we are helping the Palestinians because they are our brothers but we are helping ourselves because having our enemy on our border and regaining Sinai for example after the surrender treaty of Camp David, we got Sinai back and we lost the sovereignty of Egypt and the independence of Egypt and this is what the Egyptian people launched the revolution [for] to restore their sovereignty and their dignity.
Press TV: We will be coming back very quickly, very soon but to sum it up quickly where are you at now with the Egyptian elections and what pressure is Israel putting on?
El-Kabbany: Again Ahmed Shafiq for example, the two frontrunners, Dr. Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood and Shafiq of the old regime, Israel and all the Israeli ministers are saying that if Shafiq comes back it is back to square one and we are back to the normal relations.
That is why my feeling is that Dr. Morsi will have an overwhelming majority in the second round and he will be the coming president of Egypt because I cannot imagine that the Egyptians will vote for the remnant of the old regime.
People were surprised that Safiq won but he got only the votes of the remnants.
Press TV: Just to ask you Aly on the back of that, Palestine the heart of the Muslim world, wouldn’t an Egyptian’s strong stance against Israel in these elections restore national pride and some pro-national pride across the pan-Arab pride?
El-Kabbany: Absolutely, but I just like to disagree with the professor in saying the Arab countries. It is actually the Arab people because the Arab regimes failed Palestine.
If the Arab regimes were listening to their own people, Palestine would have been liberated long time ago. But we had regimes appointed by the West and they are serving the interests of the West and transformed the Arab states into client state to the United States of America.
So the day the Arab people get back their sovereignty in their hands and rule themselves through democratic representatives we will actually in my opinion defeat the propaganda of Israel.
Press TV: Fine but what about that legendary 3 billion dollars in military aid from America every year? If the Muslim Brotherhood does win these elections and that gets cut, there is going to be a lot of unhappy Egyptian people. How can you cope with that?
El-Kabbany: As you exactly said Lauren, these are military subsides to Egypt and they are giving Egypt military arsenal on condition that it is not used against Israel. So we will use it against who, our brothers in Libya or Sudan?
We do not need this military aid if the condition is not to use it against Israel.
So Egypt and the Egyptian economy and the Egyptian people will lose nothing. It might upset the military council in Egypt because they are getting all this military equipment but for me if it is not to be used against the Israeli enemy so they are useless. And Egypt does not have a regional enemy except the Israeli entity.
So really that aid is useless and Egypt does not need it and it will not affect the economy of Egypt.
Press TV: So in that way has been in the US interest to have a police and an army state of course in Egypt keeping those secure ties with Israel imposing that siege?
El-Kabbany: Exactly it is a bribe paid to the Egyptian government to keep this Camp David surrender treaty, enforce and to avoid really the Egyptian army going against Israel and keeping Egypt as a client state to the Americans.
Press TV: And just finally the pipelines explosions that we have been reading about were by oil and I think gas traveling to Israel have been interrupted. Have these been black operations by Israeli intelligence or are they genuine feelings to stop contact?
El-Kabbany: This is genuine feeling by the Egyptian people to stop any trade with the Israeli entity especially this is the wealth of Egypt sold below the market price to the Israelis.
So they tried many times to repair it but they cannot guard it 24 hours and it is a long pipeline so the Egyptian people declared their position towards the Israeli enemy by cutting this supply until the military council themselves they cancelled the treaty and they stopped exporting the oil and gas to Israel.
Because first if they want the gas and oil of Egypt they have to pay the market price but as the West says it is a free trade, if we do not want to sell to them why are we forced to sell to them?
