Webinar: Emergency Panel Calling for the Cessation of Torture and the Immediate Release of Dr. Abu Safiya and Thirteen Other Palestinian Physicians Detained in Israel

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026

9:00–9:30 a.m. PDT • 12:00–12:30 p.m. EST • 7:00–7:30 p.m. Palestine/Israel

Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a Palestinian doctor specializing in pediatrics and neonatology, was detained in December 2024 by Israeli forces for refusing to leave his patients and staff. He has been subjected to daily violence and beatings and has been denied proper medical care. Thirteen other Palestinian physicians have also been detained and are in a similar situation to Dr. Safiya. The United Nations Human Rights Council on Arbitrary Detention condemned Dr. Abu Safiya’s detention, torture and denial of treatment. See here. 

Dr. Abu Safiya  told his lawyer that he fears for his life, stating: 

"This is the last time you will see me… They brought me here to kill me. I do not imagine that I am alive. I see it. This is the end." 

THIS EMERGENCY PANEL CALLS FOR: 

1. The immediate cessation of the torture and release of Dr. Abu Safiya and the 13 other Palestinian physicians detained in Israeli jails.

2. Urgent transfer to another facility with comprehensive medical examination and treatment. 

3. An independent international investigation into the treatment of Dr. Abu Safiya and other medical personnel in Israeli prisons, including the potential involvement of Israeli physicians in torture, abuse, and denial of care.

4. Immediate public engagement by the WMA, IMA, and national medical societies to publicly support these requests + formal demand for ICRC access to Dr. Abu Safiya.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW TO SAVE THESE PHYSICIANS LIVES:

Sign the open letter calling for Dr. Abu Safiya's protection and release • Contact  your senator, representative, MP & cabinet ministers to support the aforementioned actions • Speak publicly about htis issue and these actions to save these physicians lives • Pressure your professional medical society or association to issue a public statement supporting the above actions

Moderators:

Dr. Ruth Gibson, Scholar, Stanford University

Dr. Keith Martin, Executive Director, CUGH

Featured Speakers:

Naji Abbas, Dir. Prisoners & Detainees, PHR-Israel

Prof. Tom Dannenbaum, Professor of Law, Stanford University

Prof. Naftali Kaminski, Yale University

Dr. Thaer Ahmed, Humanitarian Emergency Physician