Webinar: Emergency Panel - Cessation of Torture & Immediate Release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya from Israeli Detention

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 is a Palestinian doctor specializing in pediatrics and neonatology who was detained by Israeli forces in December 2024. The United Nations Human Rights Council on Arbitrary Detention outlines the details of his arrest for refusing to leave his patients and staff, and they have condemned Dr. Abu Safiya’s detention and denial of treatment by the Israelis, which has been published here. Dr. Abu Safiya has been detained without charge. On June 24, 2026, he was transferred to the Rakefet underground interrogation facility in Nitzan Prison. He added that since his transfer on June 24, 2026, to the Rakefet facility, he has suffered from daily violence and beatings and has lost consciousness several times without receiving proper medical care. He 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." 

THE PANEL CALLS FOR: 

1. Immediate cessation of the torture of Dr. Abu Safiya.

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

3 An end to his arbitrary detention without charge. 

4 Independent international investigation into treatment of Dr. Abu Safiya and other medical personnel in Israeli prisons, including potential involvement of Israeli physicians. 

5 Immediate public engagement by WMA, IMA, and all national medical societies + formal demand for ICRC access to Dr. Abu Safiya

TAKE ACTION NOW:

Sign the open letter calling for Dr. Abu Safiya's protection and release • Contact your Senators, Representatives, and MPs and demand that they speak out and work to deliver the aforementioned demands • Pressure your professional medical society or association to issue a public statement

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