International action needed to protect human rights of Palestinians - Anderson

Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson has said the international community needs to act to after Israeli raids on a hospital in Jerusalem.

Martina Anderson said:

"The raids by the Israeli Defence Forces on the Makassed Islamic Society Hospital in Jerusalem are part of the ongoing escalation of tensions in the area, including the controversial introduction of metal detectors in the al-Aqsa mosque.

"Hospitals should be places of safety where the sick and injured receive care; they should not be subject to military occupation and raids.

"We now have the situation where potentially life-saving care could be obstructed by the presence of Israeli soldiers.

"It is an abuse of the human rights of patients and staff at the hospital.

"This cannot be allowed to continue and we need to see action from the international community to guarantee the safety and human rights of the Palestinian people."