Humanitarianism and Public Health

The Israeli Medical Association reaffirmed to the National Security Committee that physicians are ethically prohibited from participating in any aspect of executions. Citing the Hebrew Physician’s Oath and WMA guidelines, the IMA emphasized that medical professionals must not be involved, directly or indirectly, in implementing the death penalty. For the Full Text (PDF File)

In light of ongoing inquiries from international medical organizations, including the WMA, the IMA has requested updated information from the Israel Prison Service regarding the condition, legal representation, and charges concerning Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who remains in detention. For the Full Text (PDF File)

The Israeli Medical Association successfully prevented a resolution that sought to suspend it from the World Medical Association. The WMA reaffirmed its ethical commitments, welcomed the ceasefire and return of hostages, and rejected all actions against Israeli physicians. For the Full Text (PDF File)

The Israel Medical Association has requested an official clarification from the Chief of the General Staff regarding the IDF’s policy toward medical institutions and personnel. The request follows international allegations claiming intentional harm to medical facilities and staff. For the Full Text (PDF File)

In a letter to Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, Chief of the General Staff, IDF, the Ethics Bureau of the Israeli Medical Association expresses deep concern regarding the harm caused to health institutions, medical teams, patients, and innocent civilians.
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The Israeli Medical Association’s Ethics Board reaffirmed its position paper, “Assuring Medical and Health Services During the Israeli-Palestinian Armed Conflict.” First published 20 years ago, the paper remains the foundation of IMA policy on medical ethics during armed conflict and is considered highly relevant today. The Board emphasized the need for continued discussion of these issues and announced plans to issue an updated position paper in the future. For the Full Text

The IMA has requested clarification from MK Israel Katz regarding repeated reports of civilian deaths near humanitarian aid distribution sites in Gaza, urging measures to prevent harm to innocent civilians and aid workers. For the Full Text (PDF File)

The IMA has requested clarification from senior IDF officials regarding reports of restrictions on humanitarian and medical supplies entering Gaza, emphasizing the ethical and legal obligation to ensure essential aid reaches civilians while preventing misuse by terrorist organizations. For the Full Text (PDF File)

The IMA has requested clarification from senior IDF officials regarding reports that 73 civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in Gaza were killed. For the Full Text (PDF File)

The IMA President has requested detailed information from the Chief Medical Officer regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr. Marwan Al-Sultan, Director of the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza. For the Full Text (PDF File)

In response to ongoing remarks by MK Moshe Saada targeting Arab physicians in Israel, the IMA President rejects his claims as inaccurate and harmful. The letter clarifies that there is no affirmative action favoring Arab students in medical schools, presents data disproving allegations of preferential admissions, and highlights the essential integration of Arab physicians in Israel’s healthcare system. The IMA emphasizes that the healthcare system must remain a model of equality and coexistence, free from political incitement. For the Full Text

We demand clear and explicit confirmation that physicians will not participate in any committee regarding the release of hostages, if established, nor in decisions on the matter. Furthermore, they must not be required to provide opinions on who should be released.

Should such clarification not be provided, we will be compelled to instruct our physicians to refrain from any involvement on this issue. For the Full Text

As reiterated since the outbreak of the war, the IMA upholds internationally accepted ethical principles and insists on respect for humanitarian law: refraining from the use of medical facilities as military or terrorist compounds, and avoiding harm to medical personnel, healthcare institutions, or emergency vehicles—except in cases where they are exploited as bases for terrorist activity. For the Full Text

Hospitals are places of care and compassion, not punishment. Physicians have a duty to preserve the dignity, privacy, and health of every individual.

While we acknowledge the complex security situation currently facing the country, alternative security measures (such as additional security personnel) should always be prioritized. Shackling must be considered only as a last resort, when no other option is available, and even then applied in the most minimal and proportionate manner necessary. For the Full Text

Following the arrest of Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, alongside international allegations of unlawful detention, torture, and the destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system, the IMA President formally requests concrete information regarding Dr. Abu Safiya’s condition and status. For the Full Text (PDF File)

The Israel Medical Association has requested information from the Israel Prison Service regarding reports published in The BMJ about the alleged death of Dr. Adnan Al-Bursh in an Israeli prison. For the Full Text (PDF File)

In response to an article on the treatment of Hamas detainees, IMA leaders Prof. Zion Hagay, Dr. Yossi Walfisch, and Adv. Malke Borow clarified that all individuals—citizens, non-citizens, and terrorists alike—receive appropriate medical care in Israel based on need and available resources. They emphasized that Hamas members do not qualify as prisoners of war under international law and affirmed that Israeli physicians continue to uphold ethical standards despite the challenges following October 7. For the Full Text (PDF File)

Following several incidents of demonstrations in front of public hospitals in Israel protesting the treatment of Hamas militants, the Chair of the Ethics Committee has addressed hospital directors to reaffirm and emphasize the unwavering ethical commitment of physicians to treat all patients without discrimination. For the Full Text (PDF File)

The IMA voiced support for Hadassah Medical Center amid protests over its treatment of security prisoners. Dr. Walfish reaffirmed that providing care to all individuals, regardless of identity or actions, is a professional, ethical, and legal duty, consistent with international medical declarations and Israeli law. For the Full Text (PDF File)

Following recent reports, the IMA has been made aware of allegations of unethical treatment and behavior toward prisoners at the Sde Teiman facility. For the Full Text (PDF File)
 

An ethics committee was established by the Ministry of Health, with Dr. Yossi Walfisch, Chair of the IMA Ethics Committee, serving as a member. Dr. Walfisch has visited the facility with Ministry representatives, though full access remains limited due to its non-civilian status. 

To Read Full Text
 

In response to recent statements made by the Minister of Health, the Israeli Medical Association emphasizes its position on the issue of medical treatment for Gazan civilians and/or militants. For the Full Text

Following a request from the President of the World Medical Association (WMA), the IMA President appeals for the evacuation of Dr. Mahmoud Matar from Gaza to receive medical treatment either in Israel or Kuwait. For the Full Text (PDF File)

Since the beginning of the war, there have been reports of repeated incidents where Arab medical professionals were targeted on social media by pressure groups demanding their suspension, based on unfounded accusations of supporting terrorism.

In some cases, their statements were merely general expressions, devoid of any support for violence or Hamas; in others, they simply expressed compassion for civilian suffering.

We are also witnessing racist remarks and incitement both online and on the streets, to the extent that some Arab healthcare staff now fear coming to work.

The IMA Ethics Bureau updated its position on the treatment of restrained prisoners and detainees in hospitals, emphasizing the physician’s ethical duty to protect dignity, privacy, and health. The paper reaffirms that restraints during medical care must not be routine and should only be used when no alternative exists. Physicians are urged to intervene if restraints endanger a patient’s physical or mental well-being, and they must refuse participation in any treatment involving disproportionate or unauthorized restraint methods. For the Full Text 

The Israeli Medical Association requested a meeting with the Israel Prison Service to discuss the solitary confinement of minor prisoners, following an inquiry from the British Medical Association. The IMA emphasized that the isolation of minors, particularly for extended periods, contravenes international and Israeli medical ethical standards and should be used only as a last resort and for the shortest possible duration. To Read Full Text (PDF file)

The IMA Ethics Bureau expressed firm opposition to the proposed amendment to the Prisons Ordinance that would deny funding for certain health services to security prisoners. The Bureau emphasized that, according to medical ethics and the National Health Insurance Law, all individuals are entitled to equal medical care without discrimination. It warned that the proposed legislation undermines the principles of equality and justice that form the foundation of the medical profession. To Read Full Text (PDF file)