Open letter from TCM Community Calling for a Ceasefire in GAZA

We, the undersigned, are calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. We invite all members of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) community to join us in this call for peace and humanitarian relief efforts. This includes acupuncturists, herbalists, martial artists, Traditional East Asian dieticians, patients and supporters of Traditional East Asian Medicine. Let us stand together in solidarity and advocate for an end to violence and suffering in Gaza and the West Bank.

WE USE OUR VOICES TO CALL FOR:

* An immediate and permanent ceasefire.
* Fully restored access to Gaza for all aid agencies.
* The safe return of all hostages held by Hamas.
* The release of all Palestinians detained by Israel without charge or trial.
* The safe return of all displaced Palestinians and rebuilding of the region and communities.
* Resume funding for UNRWA.
* Resume and continue peace negotiation without acts of violence that allows self determination for all people in the region.

* To uphold and protect the rights of ALL human beings to have the basic rights to life including: Access to essentials: water, nutrition, shelter. Comprehensive healthcare, education. Protection from violence and discrimination. Self-governance and freedom of speech, religion, assembly. Social support, fair employment. Cultural preservation. Environmental protection.

CHINESE MEDICINE'S STRONG HISTORICAL LEGACY IN COMMUNITY HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS

In solidarity with the Palestinian people, as providers of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we uphold the principles of compassion, justice and human rights, which are deeply rooted in our medicine. We unequivocally call for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of violence in the region.

As healthcare workers committed to beneficence, our moral obligation extends beyond passive non-harm; it compels us to actively protect and defend the rights of others, prevent harm, alleviate suffering and rescue those in danger. This moral imperative drives us to speak out against the targeted violence inflicted upon Gazans and their besieged healthcare system.

Throughout history great doctors like Hua Tuo, Zhang Zhongjing and Sun Simiao advanced our medical system by demonstrating unparalleled compassion and dedication during times of war and plagues. Their legacy informs our understanding that TCM has a crucial role to play in crisis environments and promoting human welfare.

In modern times, our medicine has evolved to assist in crisis situations, where techniques like the NADA protocol and battlefield acupuncture in military settings alleviate PTSD and acute pain, underscoring the effectiveness of TCM approaches. Moreover, acupuncture's demonstrated efficacy as an alternative to anesthesia, providing pain relief and promoting relaxation, highlights its value in crisis situations. Additionally, the establishment of community clinics for health equity underscores our dedication to providing access to care, especially in marginalized communities.

As inheritors of this rich medical legacy, rooted in compassion and action in times of crisis, our commitment to health and well-being is intertwined with justice and equality for all. Therefore, we stand resolutely in solidarity with the Palestinian people and advocate for peace, justice and dignity for all.


OVER THE LAST 130 days, from Oct 7 2023 to Feb 13 2024

36671 Killed including:
- 14031 children
- 33590 civilians
- 8122 women
- 317 Healthcare professionals
- 127 Journalists
- 41 Civil defense workers

67240 Injured including:
- 380 Healthcare professionals
- 135 Civil defense workers

246 healthcare facilities were destroyed including:
- 28 Hospitals
- 65 Clinics
- 153 Ambulances

2 million people displaced
173 Destroyed/ damaged press headquarters
522 Damaged Mosques. 3 Churches
199 Damaged Heritage Sites
87900 Destroyed homes
213000 Partially destroyed homes
379 Damaged Schools
1830 Damaged industrial facilities

(source: EuroMed Human Rights Monitor).

WE ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SITUATION IN PALESTINE

To date, over 300 attacks have been conducted on healthcare facilities in Gaza. The few partially functioning hospitals can only provide trauma care and are now forced to carry out amputations, c-sections and other complex medical procedures without anesthesia, electricity and most basic medical supplies. Hospitals are no longer able to treat other critical primary care needs, such as chronic illnesses and ante and postpartum care.

Numerous healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, paramedics and ambulance drivers, have tragically lost their lives, some in targeted assassinations, while others have been kidnapped, severely undermining the healthcare system's capacity to provide essential services.

The number of health workers killed in Gaza has exceeded the total number of all health worker deaths recorded across all other conflicts globally last year and in any single year since 2016. In addition to these attacks, there have also been over 200 attacks on healthcare facilities in the West Bank.

The deliberate bombing of hospitals and targeting of healthcare workers violate Article 19 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and Article 18 of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions of 1977, constituting war crimes under Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Similarly, the targeting and killing of journalists, which restrict press freedom and obstruct the flow of information, contravene Article 79 of Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and Article 8(2)(e)(iii) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Committee to Protect Journalists https://cpj.org/

Furthermore, the International Court of Justice has condemned actions in the region, including the destruction of infrastructure and deliberate targeting of civilians, emphasizing the importance of ensuring access to humanitarian aid. These actions violate Article 23 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, which mandates the free passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need, and Article 54 of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions of 1977, which prohibits the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare.

The deliberate cutting off of basic resources such as water, electricity and sanitation; destruction of homes and critical infrastructure, as well as the blocking of humanitarian aid have created a major crisis. This is exacerbating the suffering of the most vulnerable by depriving them of life-saving assistance. It is important that all parties involved prioritize dialogue, empathy and respect for human life and dignity to achieve lasting peace and justice in the region.

PLEASE ADD YOUR VOICE

Thank you for considering our petition. If you align with the compassionate values of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), please sign below.

Providers: Please indicate your professional title and location. If anonymity is preferred, use "Anonymous" with your title.

Organizations: We urge TCM entities sharing our humanitarian values to sign. Use your entity name or "Anonymous TCM Organization/School/Supplier/Association."

Supporters: Please Indicate "Patient/Supporter."

Please spread this message widely within our community. Share with patients, colleagues, acupuncturists, teachers, associations, schools, herbal companies, suppliers, CEU organizations and all TCM-affiliated entities.

As signatures grow, please forward to local representatives. With a quick search you can check your local requirements for petition thresholds so that it is eligible when you forward it to your representatives.

For example, in the USA, a petition must reach 150 signatures in 30 days to be searchable on WhiteHouse.gov, and 100,000 signatures in 30 days for a response.

OTHER ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE

After signing, take action to support the humanitarian efforts aiding the people of Palestine:

Please call your representatives daily to call for a ceasefire:
https://5calls.org/issue/israel-palestine-gaza-war-hamas-ceasefire/

Healthcareworkers4Palestine ToolKit: Healthcareworkers4Palestine ToolKit

Use your buying power for impactful change; it's proven effective: Companies to Divest From

Donate to those providing aid and resources:

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Donate to Doctors Without Borders

UNRWA Donate to UNRWA

World Kitchen Donate to World Kitchen

Esims for Gaza Provide Gazans with Internet Connection

Palestinian Children's Relief Fund Palestinian Children's Relief

Healthcare Providers who share our vision of compassion and humanitarian actions in medicine, please join our facebook group for collaboration and support: Humanitarians in Healthcare

We thank you for your care and support.

This petition is an international collaborative effort of Humanitarians in Traditional Chinese Medicine from over 7 countries, including Palestinian and Jewish providers.