Israel Bars Outspoken Norwegian Doctor Mads Gilbert From Entering The Gaza Strip

Ben Lynfield
Jerusalem

Friday 14 November 2014

Israel has barred a Norwegian doctor from entering the Gaza Strip through its territory after he severely criticised its military campaign while volunteering at a Gaza hospital during the devastating conflict over the summer.

There was no immediate Israeli confirmation of Norwegian media reports that Dr Mads Gilbert, a trauma surgeon and far-left political activist, had been banned for life from entering Gaza for security reasons.

Dr Gilbert told The Independent yesterday that he did not know how long the ban was for. He said that when he tried to enter Gaza via the Erez crossing last month he was told he could not do so for “security reasons”.

“This is not about me. This is about Israel denying the Palestinian people in Gaza international support,” he said. “To deny professionals from the medical field the right to go to Gaza is another aspect of the collective punishment. They’re exercising the siege in an increasingly harsh and brutal way.

“I’ve done nothing wrong. The truth on the ground is very inconvenient for Israel. Anyone who conveys that truth is unwanted.”

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http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-bars-outspoken-norwegian-doctor-mads-gilbert-from-entering-the-gaza-strip-9862340.html