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Union of Health Workers Committees (UHWC)

January 22, 2017

Profile

Country/Territory	Palestinian Authority
Website	gaza-health.com/en
Founded	1985
In their own words	Provides comprehensive health services through a developmental community and social framework to all sectors of the Palestinian people especially the marginalized and poor ones through its health centers and community programs.

UHWC does not publish funding information, reflecting a lack of transparency and accountability.
2015 “Partners, Friends, and Supporters” include: Spain (AECID), Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, UK, UNRWA, Oxfam, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), UNDP, World Health Organization, NGO Development Center, World Vision, UNICEF, DanChurchAid, Save the Children, Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA), UNFPA, Welfare Association, and the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign.
In 2017-2018, UHWC received $953,793 from the UN OCHA occupied Palestinian territory Humanitarian Fund for “Comprehensive Emergency response to immediate health and protection needs of vulnerable population of Gaza Strip” and two projects at Al-Awda Hospital in Gaza.
According to information released by donors, UHWC received €63,034 in 2016, €35,549 in 2015, and €157,227 in 2014 from Oxfam-Solidarité (Belgium).
Together with Health Work Committees (HWC), UHWC received funding from Third World Health Aid (€172,131 in 2015, €152,588 in 2014, €131,693 in 2013).

UHWC activities include holding medical conferences and “Health Days,” and maintaining hospitals, medical center, and cultural centers throughout the Gaza Strip.
UHWC itself is a PFLP-affiliated health committee active in Gaza, as identified by USAID and in Palestinian documents. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) is a terrorist organization designated as such by the US, EU, Canada, and Israel.
Signed on the 2005 Palestinian Civil Society Call for BDS and helped organize the First Palestinian Conference for the Boycott of Israel (BDS).
UHWC has accused Israel of “Urbanicide,” “Genocide,” the “mass killing of civilians,” and called on its partners, including Oxfam, to condemn “Israel’s human rights violations against the Palestinian people.”

As stated, UHWC itself is a PFLP-affiliated health committee active in Gaza.
Dr. Majed Nassar is Deputy Director of the Union of Health Work Committees (UHWC) and has been cited as a PFLP member. Nassar also served as an official with Defense for Children International- Palestine (DCI-P) and is a member of the board of directors at the Alternative Information Center (AIC). From 2013 to 2014, Nassar served as Director of Programs in the West Bank for the British NGO Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). According to a 2007 document, Israel has prevented Dr. Majed Nassar from traveling “since 2001,” a decision upheld by the HCJ.
Yousef Habash is the public relations officer at UHWC. Habash is apparently the nephew of PFLP founder George Habash. Israel prevented Yousef Habash from leaving the West Bank from 2011 to 2012. He is also a member of the BDS National Committee.
Dr. Rabah Muhanna, “member of the Political Bureau of the PFLP and leader of its branch in Gaza” was head of the UHWC (2001) and was one of the organizations founders.

The relationship between the UHWC and the Health Work Committees is unclear, but the two have been described as “sister organization[s].”