Birth at the checkpoint

Over the last forty one years of the military occupation of Palestinian land, Israel has implemented a policy of movement restrictions including checkpoints, earth mounds, trenches, gates, roadblocks, bypass roads, the Wall, and a complex system of permits. Restrictions on the freedom of movement of Palestinians have seriously affected their access to medical care, including emergency medical treatment. The ability to reach medical care and healthcare is very uncertain and depends on a number of arbitrary decisions and restrictions. Soldiers at checkpoints consistently stop ambulances and patients. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society has reported 112 deaths and 35 stillbirths as a result of preventing medical personnel and patients from crossing checkpoints. Come to get informed and to talk about this critical issue with Dr Muna Mushahwar, co-chairperson of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) and a practicing physician in an Israeli hospital in Jerusalem.