Israel's COVID-19 Vaccination Program Is Considered Racist Because It Excludes Palestinian Prisoners In Their Country

Vaccine illustration (Source: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Israel is recognized as the country that is most aggressively vaccinated against COVID-19 in its country. But behind this classy achievement, Israel is considered to be racially discriminating because it excludes Palestinian prisoners and those who live in the territories occupied by Israel.

As quoted by the Andalou Agency, Israel's Minister of Internal Security, Ameer Ohanna ordered the authorities not to inject Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons. He only asked health officials to vaccinate prison wardens.

Human rights groups have called it "medical apartheid" by Israeli authorities involving prisoners. Even before that, inmates at Remon prison had to argue with prison authorities to force them to send Basel Aaja, a Palestinian prisoner infected with COVID-19 to hospital for treatment.

He is now recuperating in the intensive care unit at Beersheba general hospital, 108 kilometers (67 miles) south of Jerusalem. Although his condition worsened, the prison administration did not transfer him to the hospital.

Detained in 2002 and sentenced to life in prison, Ajaj is accused of participating in the second intifada. "He lived with his family for less than three years. They were unable to visit him due to pandemic restrictions," said the Ajaj brother.

Israel has really violated the applicable law. This is because, according to international law, Palestinians residing on Israeli-annexed lands are under full Israeli responsibility for health matters.

Hundreds of prisoners were infected

In a statement, the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said the number of inmates infected at Remon prison had risen to 31. The number of inmates infected since the start of the pandemic now stands at 227.

"This is a racist attitude by Amir Ohanna and goes against international norms and Israeli law itself. The Israeli government's legal adviser said that the Israeli authorities should vaccinate the prisoners, "said PPS chairman Qadora Fares.

PPS has previously sent letters to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations and the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC). “WHO has said that detainees have the right to be treated, and Israel should allow this right. But Israel doesn't care, "said Fares.

The Palestinian Medical Aid Institute describes Israel's stance as medical "apartheid". It's a much worse form that doesn't even exist in South Africa.