Statement by U.S. Ambassador Bathsheba Crocker
at the 76th World Health Assembly
Regarding World Health Assembly Agenda item 76/18
Health Conditions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including
East Jerusalem, and in the Occupied Syrian Golan
Geneva, Switzerland
Regarding World Health Assembly Agenda item 76/18, titled Health Conditions in the Occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan, the United States cannot let this decision pass without objection.
We cannot support an agenda item that does not meet our shared objective of a World Health Assembly focused on public health and which is inconsistent with the main function of Committee B.
Moreover, for decades this annual decision has unfairly singled out one country, clearly on a political basis since there is not a public health emergency or crises that this item is addressing.
We are disappointed that certain parties refuse the opportunity to engage in practical, sensible dialogue among those parties most involved and instead made clear again their preference for politicized speeches over productive discussions.
The United States strongly supports improving health and health care for Palestinians including with generous financial assistance but believes the current draft decision distracts from the real issues at hand and does not help advance the cause of a lasting and comprehensive peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
We therefore opposed adoption of this decision.
###