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Israel Shuts Coronavirus Testing Clinic in East Jerusalem and Arrests Organizers

According to a Haaretz article by ([link removed])
Nir Hasson, ([link removed]) published on April 15, Israeli police raided and shut down a coronavirus testing clinic in the East Jerusalem Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan the previous night and arrested its organizers because the clinic was operated with help from the Palestinian Authority.

Like many parts of the United States, there is a serious shortage of coronavirus testing kits in Silwan, where there are already 40 confirmed cases and where overcrowded living conditions are leading to the rapid spread of the virus. The tests taken in a local mosque were to be processed by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Last month Israeli authorities prevented Palestinian Authority workers from disinfecting public spaces in Jerusalem.

More than 12,200 coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in Israel, 316 in the West Bank and 13 in Gaza. Israel has a shortage of laboratory material, even after the Mossad obtained more than 400,000 coronavirus testing kits from undisclosed countries. (The first 100,000 obtained by the intelligence service were the wrong test kits.) Israelis seem to be prioritizing testing for Jewish citizens, neglecting the obvious: untested sick Palestinian and Israeli Arabs can spread COVID-19.

“You [Israeli authorities] are not helping us and are preventing us from getting help from others,” said one of the residents, Farhi Abu Diab. “For the first time, we have a common enemy, so let's work together.”

Imagine if U.S. soldiers shut down a testing clinic set up to serve an underserved minority community in DC, Maryland, Louisiana or Michigan…

Call or write U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (202) 647-6575, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C St, NW Washington, DC 20520 or visit
www.state.gov to email.

Click here to read the complete Haaretz article. ([link removed])

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