Palestinian, Israeli ministers meet in another sign of post-Netanyahu thaw
The meeting in Jerusalem is another sign of improved ties under the new Israeli government and amid US efforts to restore Israeli-Palestinian relations.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian and Israeli ministers of health and environmental protection met in Jerusalem July 28.
The meeting was arranged by Israeli Minister of Regional Cooperation Issawi Frej, who is working to renew relations with the Palestinian side on economic and civil issues.
The Palestinian health sector is in dire straits due to the coronavirus pandemic amid concerns over a fourth wave. Several requests were submitted to the Israeli side during the meeting such as allowing Palestinian ambulances into Jerusalem hospitals without stopping at checkpoints, lifting the Israeli obstacles hindering the work of medical staff including providing vaccinations for students in east Jerusalem and attacks on medical personnel in Area C of the West Bank.
The statement read that an “agreement has been reached to transfer patients from the Gaza Strip to hospitals in the West Bank from an ‘ambulance to an ambulance’ through the Beit Hanoun crossing without the patients disembarking … and this will make it easier for patients to be transported.”
