Israel is on track to be the first country in the world to inoculate its entire population against Covid-19 [1]. But while Israel has already vaccinated more than 20 percent of its citizens, including Jewish settlers in the West Bank, it has neither started nor committed to help vaccinate Palestinians living in the same occupied territory under its military rule [2].

Article 56 of the Fourth Geneva Convention specifically provides that an occupier has the duty of ensuring “the adoption and application of the prophylactic and preventive measures necessary to combat the spread of contagious diseases and epidemics”. This duty includes providing support for the purchase and distribution of vaccines to the Palestinian population under its control. [3]

The full text is given below.

“Nothing can justify today’s reality in parts of the West Bank, where people on one side of the street are receiving vaccines, while those on the other do not, based on whether they’re Jewish or Palestinian,” said Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch. “Everyone in the same territory should have equitable access to the vaccine, regardless of their ethnicity.” [2]

27 organisations have demanded that “Israel Must Provide Necessary Vaccines to Palestinian Health Care Systems” [4]

Article 56 of the Fourth Geneva Convention

To the fullest extent of the means available to it, the Occupying Power has the duty of ensuring and maintaining, with the cooperation of national and local authorities, the medical and hospital establishments and services, public health and hygiene in the occupied territory, with particular reference to the adoption and application of the prophylactic and preventive measures necessary to combat the spread of contagious diseases and epidemics. Medical personnel of all categories shall be allowed to carry out their duties.

If new hospitals are set up in occupied territory and if the competent organs of the occupied State are not operating there, the occupying authorities shall, if necessary, grant them the recognition provided for in Article 18. In similar circumstances, the occupying authorities shall also grant recognition to hospital personnel and transport vehicles under the provisions of Articles 20 and 21.

In adopting measures of health and hygiene and in their implementation, the Occupying Power shall take into consideration the moral and ethical susceptibilities of the population of the occupied territory.

References

[1] https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/comment/israel-covid-19-vaccinations/

[2] https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/01/17/israel-provide-vaccines-occupied-palestinians

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Geneva_Convention

[4] https://www.phr.org.il/en/israel-must-provide-necessary-vaccines-to-palestinian-health-care-systems/