Doctors protest at WMA summit over Israeli medical association membership
Hundreds of doctors demonstrated outside the World Medical Association summit in Rotterdam, calling for the Israeli Medical Association to be suspended. Eighty-one healthcare workers hung scrubs bearing the names of Palestinian medics held in Israeli detention. The IMA Out! campaign accused the Israeli association of silence and complicity as Gaza's healthcare system has been devastated, with more than 1,700 Palestinian healthcare workers killed since October 2023.
Protesters gathered in Rotterdam during the World Medical Association’s assembly, where the IMA Out! coalition pressed delegates to suspend the Israeli Medical Association. Organizers said 81 scrubs were displayed, each labeled with a detained Palestinian health worker’s name, and a petition backed by over 6,500 medical personnel worldwide was submitted.
Speakers argued that the Israeli association has not opposed the wartime destruction of Gaza’s medical infrastructure. Since October 2023, more than 1,700 Palestinian health workers have been killed and most hospitals and clinics ruined, the campaign said. It also cited Dr Hussam Abu Safia, a hospital director whose detention and reported mistreatment drew international attention.
The protest may increase scrutiny of how global medical bodies handle member associations accused of ethical breaches. Palestinian health workers and detainees’ families could gain more visibility, while medical institutions may face harder questions about neutrality, cooperation, and conference participation. If the WMA reviews the case, it could affect future disciplinary practices; if not, campaigners may continue pressing national associations to act. The outcome may shape trust in professional bodies among doctors and affected communities.