Write a comment
Nurses, doctors and healthcare workers at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry joined the Irish Congress of Trade Union's Take a Stand for Palestine Workplace Day of Action on Friday, 28 November, standing in solidarity with their colleagues working in Gaza under what they described as impossible conditions.
The action saw healthcare staff gather to highlight the ongoing dangers faced by medical workers in Gaza, where hundreds of healthcare professionals have been killed during more than two years of conflict. According to Healthcare Workers Watch, nearly 600 healthcare workers have been confirmed killed by the IDF, with a third of those being women, whilst another 400 such deaths are awaiting confirmation.
Unison Shop Steward Deirdre Murphy explained the reasons behind the workplace action, stating: "We are here to stand by our healthcare worker colleagues in Gaza, who have worked tirelessly in impossible conditions for over two years and still continue to risk their lives during this so-called ceasefire, in which hundreds of Gazans have been killed."
Murphy went on to highlight the severity of the situation, noting that many healthcare workers have been abducted, tortured and murdered. She added: "We are calling for an end to government and corporate complicity in Israel's atrocities and stand in solidarity with the people and workers of Palestine."
The Newry demonstration formed part of a wider day of action organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, with healthcare workers across the region using their workplace platforms to draw attention to the plight of their counterparts in Gaza who continue to operate under extreme duress.
