Israel holds all the power in the West Bank, it should vaccinate everyone | Maya Abu Al-Hayat
The occupying power is responsible for the healthcare of the Palestinians, whose economy and medical systems are in ruins
It is an ordinary morning: I'm on my way from Jerusalem, where I live, to the centre of Ramallah in the West Bank. Shops are still closed at this early hour. Five Israeli vehicles are rolling in the opposite direction, heading to their military base in Qalandia after all-night raids aiming to arrest someone in Ramallah. A few passersby wearing masks, covering their chins rather than their mouths and noses, are still looking sleepy; cars are slowly emerging.
On my way from Jerusalem to Ramallah, I passed through Qalandia checkpoint. In normal circumstances, without occupation or checkpoints, the journey should take less than 15 minutes. Yet it takes me at least an hour and 15 minutes every day. After I reach Ramallah, I will go on to Nablus, further north, to conduct a workshop with a group of women discussing their daily needs during the Covid-19 crisis. The pandemic has been raging for a year; it seems that it may never end on the Palestinian side.
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