Healing Across the Divides Board Statement

In light of the dire humanitarian situation facing the people in Gaza coupled with the daily settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, the Executive Director and Board of Directors of Healing Across the Divides (HATD) issues the following statement:

Our mission is to improve the health of marginalized people living in Israel and Occupied Palestine through community-based intervention. This mission has guided our work for 22 years.

Never before has the situation on the ground created such profound barriers to health, stability and livelihood in the communities we serve. There are daily attacks by settlers in the West Bank and the safety of those living in Gaza is not guaranteed. Lifesaving and much-needed medical supplies and medications such as insulin are not allowed to cross the Gaza border. This reality is not only being felt by our grantees but by our staff on the ground.  These restrictions threaten access to care, disrupt services and infrastructures and undermine the community-based efforts that are at the core of HATD.  

We understand the desire of Israelis to have security. We are asking the same for all inhabitants of this land. We urgently ask the United States to hold Israel accountable for perpetuating these conditions and encourage them to work with haste toward solutions that prioritize health, safety and the lives of those living in this region. We will continue our commitment to advocating for approaches that improve lives and foster equitable well-being for all, both Israelis and Palestinians.