Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JERUSALEM2309
2006-06-08 12:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
RISING TENSIONS AS PUBLIC HEALTHCARE WORKERS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHJM #2309 1591232 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 081232Z JUN 06 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2609 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS JERUSALEM 002309
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR
WILLIAMS/GREENE/WATERS/WAECHTER; NSC FOR
ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO; TREASURY FOR NUGENT/DOWNARD; USAID
FOR BORODIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM ECON EAID PGOV KWBG
SUBJECT: RISING TENSIONS AS PUBLIC HEALTHCARE WORKERS
PROTEST LACK OF SALARIES IN THE WEST BANK
REF: JERUSALEM 2245
UNCLAS JERUSALEM 002309
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR
WILLIAMS/GREENE/WATERS/WAECHTER; NSC FOR
ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO; TREASURY FOR NUGENT/DOWNARD; USAID
FOR BORODIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM ECON EAID PGOV KWBG
SUBJECT: RISING TENSIONS AS PUBLIC HEALTHCARE WORKERS
PROTEST LACK OF SALARIES IN THE WEST BANK
REF: JERUSALEM 2245
1. (SBU) According to Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam, public
healthcare workers took to the streets in separate,
uncoordinated protests in Bethlehem, Nablus, and Ramallah
June 6. Al-Ayyam reported that the protesters hailed from
various health institutions and marched informally, carrying
signs that called on the PA to pay their salaries and on the
international community to resume assistance to the PA.
2. (SBU) A Bethlehem doctor from a private clinic reported
to EconOff June 8 that the protests in Bethlehem did not
reach the level of an organized strike. He said the protest
was precipitated by a confrontation between a doctor at Beit
Jala hospital and a patient's family who beat up the doctor
when he refused to provide priority treatment for the
patient. In response, his colleagues at the hospital
gathered with healthcare workers from nearby hospitals and
clinics to protest their increased patient caseload and lack
of salary payments.
3. (SBU) Al-Ayyam reported that tens of protesters in Nablus
called for their salaries to be paid and asked local banks
not to surrender to international pressure, but to deal with
the PA. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
health field officer told EconOff June 8 that he had visited
Rafidi hospital in Nablus June 6 and had not heard of the
strikes, noting that the hospital was operating normally.
The Al-Ayyam article also noted that public healthcare
workers in Ramallah had marched from the Ramallah
Governmental hospital to downtown Ramallah, calling for the
PA to pay their salaries.
4. (SBU) Comment: It does not appear that these protests
were coordinated. While there were reports of some delays at
a few healthcare facilities, most operations continued as
normal. End Comment.
WALLES
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR
WILLIAMS/GREENE/WATERS/WAECHTER; NSC FOR
ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO; TREASURY FOR NUGENT/DOWNARD; USAID
FOR BORODIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM ECON EAID PGOV KWBG
SUBJECT: RISING TENSIONS AS PUBLIC HEALTHCARE WORKERS
PROTEST LACK OF SALARIES IN THE WEST BANK
REF: JERUSALEM 2245
1. (SBU) According to Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam, public
healthcare workers took to the streets in separate,
uncoordinated protests in Bethlehem, Nablus, and Ramallah
June 6. Al-Ayyam reported that the protesters hailed from
various health institutions and marched informally, carrying
signs that called on the PA to pay their salaries and on the
international community to resume assistance to the PA.
2. (SBU) A Bethlehem doctor from a private clinic reported
to EconOff June 8 that the protests in Bethlehem did not
reach the level of an organized strike. He said the protest
was precipitated by a confrontation between a doctor at Beit
Jala hospital and a patient's family who beat up the doctor
when he refused to provide priority treatment for the
patient. In response, his colleagues at the hospital
gathered with healthcare workers from nearby hospitals and
clinics to protest their increased patient caseload and lack
of salary payments.
3. (SBU) Al-Ayyam reported that tens of protesters in Nablus
called for their salaries to be paid and asked local banks
not to surrender to international pressure, but to deal with
the PA. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
health field officer told EconOff June 8 that he had visited
Rafidi hospital in Nablus June 6 and had not heard of the
strikes, noting that the hospital was operating normally.
The Al-Ayyam article also noted that public healthcare
workers in Ramallah had marched from the Ramallah
Governmental hospital to downtown Ramallah, calling for the
PA to pay their salaries.
4. (SBU) Comment: It does not appear that these protests
were coordinated. While there were reports of some delays at
a few healthcare facilities, most operations continued as
normal. End Comment.
WALLES