Among the requested changes to the charter would be the right for the WHO to establish offices in any member-state of the UN, to declare certain cultural practices acceptable or not, and to change the accepted relationship between doctors and patients. The new rules are to be voted on at a general meeting in Geneva tomorrow.
Some Israeli officials, led by Likud MK Tali Gottlieb, believe that the changes are a pretext for the UN to attempt to use the WHO to demand a ceasefire in Gaza or otherwise attempt to influence Israel's management of the war.
Ten MKs have written to Health Minister Moshe Arbel demanding that he reject the WHO move. "THe new regulations will allow the WHO to declare “public health emergencies" and establish policy, including both foreign and domestic measures. It will have control over budgetary and enforcement measures in a country that is part of the emergency, without the need for independent approval by the specific country. The organization will be able to monitor and exercise control over countries that do not meet the standards it sets and there is a risk that countries may be subject to international sanctions."
Minister Arbel has thus far rejected the demand, stating that the current proposal is a first draft only, and specifically states that it respects the sovereignty of signatory nations. READ MORE
