Doctors call for suspension of Israeli Medical Association amid Gaza healthcare crisis

What happened

Al Jazeera Gaza reports that hundreds of doctors gathered outside the World Medical Association (WMA) summit in Rotterdam to demand the suspension of the Israeli Medical Association (IMA) from the global body. The protesters, organized by the IMA Out! coalition, accuse the IMA of violating the WMA’s Code of Medical Ethics by remaining silent while Palestinian healthcare infrastructure is destroyed and many healthcare workers are killed or imprisoned amid the conflict in Gaza.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. As part of the demonstration, 81 healthcare workers removed their scrubs and displayed them bearing the names of Palestinian healthcare workers currently detained by Israel, highlighting concerns over alleged illegal detentions and mistreatment. The protest organizers charged the IMA with complicity, saying it defends attacks against Palestinian healthcare and blocks international condemnation, thus abandoning medical neutrality.

The campaign also delivered a petition signed by over 6,500 health workers from around the world demanding the suspension of the IMA and calling for accountability for Israeli doctors allegedly involved in the mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners. One high-profile case mentioned is Dr Hussam Abu Safia, head of Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital, whose detention and treatment have drawn international criticism and were publicly protested during the summit.

Known from the source

• Hundreds of doctors protested outside the WMA summit in Rotterdam calling for the suspension of the Israeli Medical Association.
• The protest was organized by the IMA Out! coalition.
• 81 healthcare workers displayed scrubs bearing names of detained Palestinian healthcare workers.
• Since October 2023, more than 1,700 Palestinian healthcare workers have been killed in Gaza and nearly all healthcare facilities destroyed, according to the campaign's claims.
• Dr Hussam Abu Safia, head of Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital, is among Palestinians detained by Israel, and his detention prompted protests.

What remains unclear

At a WMA meeting during the summit, international doctors and activists discussed the deteriorating health situation in Gaza and the responsibilities of medical associations globally. Protesters insist that dialogue with the IMA has failed to produce change, and they urge the WMA to sever ties and take formal action against the Israeli association.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verification of the claim that more than 1,700 Palestinian healthcare workers have been killed since October 2023. Confirmation of the circumstances, legality, and conditions of detentions of Palestinian healthcare workers including Dr Hussam Abu Safia. Statements or response from the Israeli Medical Association on the accusations made during the protest.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Al Jazeera Gaza. Open the source.