May 29, 2025 – At the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78), Palestinian representatives urged member states to stop arms deliveries to Israel and reconsider their economic and trade ties with the country. This plea came during discussions on the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories and the occupied Syrian Golan.
The assembly highlighted the severe health crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by ongoing Israeli attacks. Many countries from the Global South voiced strong support for Palestine, demanding international intervention to halt the violence. However, nations from the Global North largely refrained from distancing themselves from Israel, despite calls for accountability.
A key moment of the assembly was the endorsement of a draft decision aimed at holding Israel accountable for attacks on healthcare facilities and ensuring the free flow of humanitarian aid to the region. The decision was approved by 104 countries, with 4 voting against and 19 abstaining. Over 50 countries were absent during the vote, according to health activists in Geneva.
The WHO’s Director-General’s report shed light on the dire health situation in Palestine. In Gaza, overcrowding, forced displacements, and poor sanitation have increased the risk of disease outbreaks, including diarrheal infections. In the West Bank, movement restrictions, violence, and disruptions to essential healthcare services have left many in urgent need of medical care, including trauma and maternal health services.
The report also highlighted the destruction of health infrastructure, amounting to over USD 1.3 billion in damages, and the tragic loss of healthcare workers’ lives. WHO officials continued to call for an immediate ceasefire, stressing the urgent need for mental health support for over 2 million Palestinians, as well as medical care for tens of thousands injured by Israeli forces.
Despite these calls, European countries, including France, the Netherlands, and the UK, voiced support for Israel’s “right to self-defense,” but also expressed concerns over the humanitarian impact of the attacks. However, they abstained from voting on the resolution, citing concerns about “politicization.”
In contrast, nations from the Global South were more vocal about addressing the root causes of the conflict. South Africa’s representatives emphasized the need to end Israel’s occupation of Palestine, arguing that “the suffering of the Palestinians will continue” as long as the occupation persists. Iran and Cuba echoed this sentiment, calling for an end to Israel’s actions and highlighting the ongoing violence as the result of the international community’s failure to act.
In response, Palestine called for concrete international action, urging the world to halt arms exports to Israel and review all economic and trade relations with the country.
Key Points:
- The WHA78 discussions centered on the health crisis in Palestine and the humanitarian impact of Israeli attacks.
- A draft resolution calling for accountability and the delivery of humanitarian aid was supported by 104 countries.
- European nations voiced concern but abstained from voting on the resolution.
- The Global South emphasized addressing the occupation’s root causes and called for an end to Israeli actions.
- Palestine urged the international community to halt arms exports to Israel and review trade relations.
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