Letters | US support for Israel’s war in Gaza contradicts its own values

Readers discuss the desperate call for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, a potential solution to inadequate mental health support in Hong Kong, ways to tell the Hong Kong story, and hospitality towards visitors

Israel-Gaza war

Letters

Published: 11:30am, 14 Dec 2023

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The world is aghast at the unrelenting weeks of siege warfare and indiscriminate Israeli bombing that killed thousands of people and hit hospitals and medical facilities in Gaza. Our Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) colleagues who continue to work in several hospitals in northern and southern Gaza and their families bear witness to the fact that there is no safe place today to survive the horrors of this conflict.

This is especially clear after the failure of the United Nations Security Council last week to adopt a resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, blocked by a veto from the United States.

On Tuesday, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution in favour of a ceasefire, but decisions taken by the UN General Assembly, unlike those taken by the Security Council, are not legally binding.

Since 1989, MSF has been providing specialised medical care in the Gaza Strip with 300 staff in various locations. During the current conflict, MSF staff have supported four hospitals and run a stand-alone clinic in Gaza. We are witnessing a complete collapse of healthcare services in the area into which thousands have been forced, along with the rest of the healthcare system in the strip.

We are treating patients in southern Gaza with infected wounds infested with maggots, indicating weeks of neglect and misery. Attacks on hospitals where our MSF colleagues worked killed three doctors. Our colleagues were helpless when faced with newborns and adults in ICU dying as incubators and ventilators shut down because there was no electricity in medical facilities.

Last week, the UN secretary general, invoking Article 99, called on the Security Council to end this crisis with an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

The US’ veto contradicts the values it professes to uphold. By continuing to provide diplomatic cover for the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, the US is signalling that international humanitarian law can be applied selectively – and that the lives of some people matter less than the lives of others. This must be rejected loudly.

Israel’s military operations are taking a terrible toll on civilians: indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian structures, imposing a siege that amounts to collective punishment for the entire population of Gaza, forced mass displacement, and denying access to vital medical care and humanitarian assistance.

In Gaza, medical care was the last lifeline. But hospitals have turned into morgues. For humanitarians to be able to respond to the overwhelming need, we need a ceasefire now.

Dr Husni Zainal, medical doctor and president, MSF Hong Kong Board

Why not nurture counsellors to support mental health?

The increasing number of student suicides has raised the alarm. Indeed, this problem is faced by not only the younger generation but also by the wider population. The Samaritan Befrienders reported that data from the Coroner’s Court showed the suicide rate for 2022 was the highest in 15 years.

There are many factors behind the high suicide rate; one is inadequate support for mental health.

The government concluded a mental health review in 2017, which should have been a good starting point for us to revise Hong Kong’s mental health policy. However, to my disappointment, six years have passed and Hongkongers’ happiness level has fallen to a decade low, according to a recent survey.

Hong Kong relies heavily on psychologists and social workers to provide mental health services, but their numbers are limited. Trained counsellors can help to fill the gap.

Every year, Hong Kong universities produce more than 300 counselling graduates. These are arts and social science graduates in counselling and related subjects, including counselling psychology, guidance and counselling, and family counselling.

Over the years, academics and politicians have called on the government to nurture counsellors and even station them in schools. But appeals to recognise counselling as a profession, governed by a registration board, have so far fallen on deaf ears.

Hong Kong is a rich society struggling with poor mental health. The government should care enough to have a long-term strategy addressing the problem.

Daniel Tsui, Mong Kok

Give immigrants a chance to tell the Hong Kong story

I refer to the article, “‘Misperceptions are killing Hong Kong,’ think tank chief Bernard Chan says” (December 11).

There are many great stories to tell about Hong Kong, from both a business opportunity perspective and a lifestyle perspective. Those of us who have lived here for many years cherish what the city has to offer and the amazing – albeit expensive – life we enjoy in one of the safest and most beautiful cities in the world.

These stories need to be told outside Hong Kong. But the storyline needs to be different and involve families that migrated to Hong Kong, established businesses and left legacies reflecting the true diversity of our city.

Repeating the same old story about the rule of law, “one country, two systems” and riots that happened nearly half a decade ago is really missing an opportunity to tell the world about the truly unique characteristics of this great city.

Simon Constantinides, Sai Kung

City’s warm embrace of visitors is appreciated

My wife and I frequently visited Hong Kong where our daughter and her family reside until the pandemic prevented all travel. Last month, we made our first visit to the city since 2019, and found Hong Kong has changed for the better.

Local people were warm and friendly, on the buses and trains. Restaurant food was tasty and the Christmas decorations made for a festive atmosphere everywhere.

Hong Kong extended a hearty welcome to us and we would like to express our thanks.

D. K. Kaimal, Kerala, India

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