Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand
On this World Heart Day, we are reminded that the heart is not only a symbol of life but also of resilience, compassion, and justice. The Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on the global community to recognise the suffering of the Palestinian people, whose hearts continue to beat under unimaginable hardship.
This year’s World Heart Day theme is about caring for every heart. Yet, in Palestine, thousands of hearts are being broken daily, through the loss of loved ones, through the trauma of displacement, and through the denial of basic human rights, including access to healthcare.
Hospitals in Gaza and across occupied Palestine face acute shortages of medicines, medical equipment, and even electricity to power life-saving machines. For Palestinians with heart disease, treatment delays can mean the difference between life and death. The blockade, occupation, and ongoing attacks make even the simplest care a struggle.
“On World Heart Day, while the world promotes healthy living and access to treatment, Palestinians are being deprived of their right to health,” said [Name], spokesperson for the Palestine Forum of New Zealand. “We cannot talk about protecting hearts while allowing Palestinian hearts to be broken by injustice.”
The Forum calls on New Zealand’s leaders, health professionals, and civil society to:
- Demand an immediate end to the blockade and restrictions on medical access in Palestine.
- Support international calls for accountability to protect Palestinian lives and health.
- Stand in solidarity with Palestine, the heart of the Arab world, whose endurance inspires millions.
On this World Heart Day, let us remember that every heart matters—including the hearts beating under occupation and siege. Justice and freedom are the true foundations of healthy lives.
Palestine Forum of New Zealand
