Hundreds of doctors gathered outside the World Medical Association (WMA) summit in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, calling for the suspension of the Israeli Medical Association (IMA) over allegations that it has failed to respond to the destruction of Palestinian healthcare. Protesters also called for accountability over the detention and alleged mistreatment of Palestinian healthcare workers.
81 sets of scrubs displayed in solidarity with Palestinian colleagues
On Saturday, 81 healthcare workers removed their scrubs and hung them in a line facing the WMA assembly in Rotterdam. Each set of scrubs carried the name of a Palestinian healthcare worker reportedly being held in Israeli detention.
The demonstration was organised by the IMA Out! coalition, which is campaigning for the Israeli Medical Association to be suspended from the WMA. The coalition accused the IMA of violating ethical principles set out in the WMA's Code of Medical Ethics.
Mejrem Ahmetaj, a general practitioner and member of IMA Out!, said: “These scrubs should not be empty. Our colleagues belong with their patients, not in Israeli prisons. Today, we literally placed their names at the WMA’s doorstep.”
Destruction of Gaza's healthcare system raises international concerns
According to the campaign, more than 1,700 Palestinian healthcare workers have been killed since October 2023, while nearly all hospitals and healthcare facilities in Gaza have been destroyed or severely affected during Israel's war on the enclave.
IMA Out! accused the Israeli Medical Association of remaining silent as Palestinian healthcare infrastructure has been systematically destroyed. Campaign representatives further alleged that the association has defended the attacks and obstructed international condemnation.
“The IMA is not a bystander. It defends these attacks and blocks international condemnation while Palestinian healthcare is being destroyed. That is not medical neutrality. That is complicity,” Ahmetaj said.
These allegations were made by the protest organisers. The material provided by the campaign did not include a response from the Israeli Medical Association.
Campaign calls for action from international medical organisations
According to IMA Out!, a meeting held on Thursday alongside the WMA summit brought together international doctors, medical leaders and human rights advocates to discuss the destruction of Palestinian healthcare and the responsibilities of the international medical community.
In a statement on behalf of IMA Out!, Jonathan Fluxman alleged that Palestinian healthcare workers had been killed and detained, and that detainees had faced starvation, torture and medical neglect. He also cited the destruction of hospitals and the killing or displacement of patients.
Fluxman argued that decades of dialogue between the WMA and the IMA had failed to produce meaningful change. He called on national medical associations and the WMA to take action, including suspending the IMA's membership and severing institutional ties.
Petition backed by more than 6,500 healthcare workers
IMA Out! said it had submitted a petition signed by more than 6,500 healthcare workers from around the world, calling for the Israeli Medical Association to be suspended from the WMA.
Protesters also demanded accountability for alleged complicity by Israeli doctors in the starvation, torture and denial of medical care affecting Palestinian prisoners.
Calls for the release of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya
Among the Palestinian healthcare workers whose cases were highlighted was Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, head of Gaza's Kamal Adwan Hospital. His continued detention has prompted international concern and calls for his release.
According to the campaign, Abu Safiya was briefly held at the Sde Teiman detention facility and has been subjected to alleged torture and medical neglect. Demonstrators in Rotterdam carried placards demanding his release.
Addressing a meeting organised by the campaign, his son, Elyas Abu Safiya, called for his father and all Palestinian detainees to be treated in accordance with medical ethics and for doctors to uphold the Hippocratic Oath.
“Care cannot be given based on whose life is deemed worthy,” he said.
The demonstration has renewed debate over the protection of healthcare workers in conflict zones, the safeguarding of medical facilities and the ethical responsibilities of international medical organisations.
Source: Al Jazeera
