Statement of the ASPHER Task Force on War and Public Health on the Conflict in Israel/Palestine

The Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER) reaffirms its condemnation of the terrorist attacks by Hamas that killed or abducted several hundred civilians in Israel on 7th October 2023. We call attention to the statement by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) who said that the atrocities committed by Hamas were “some of the most serious international crimes that shock the conscience of humanity,” and that the ICC is ready to prosecute those responsible. We also call attention to the Hamas Covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement, originally issued on 18 August 1988, that calls for the destruction of Israel, killing all Israelis, and calls for jihad on the Jewish people. As public health professionals we condemn dehumanization and acts of genocide. We support Israel’s right to armed self-defence within the limitations of international humanitarian law. At the same time, we emphasise that Palestinians have legitimate aspirations to live with equal measures of security freedom, justice, opportunity, and dignity. This applies to all the people of the region and beyond.