Health workers applaud medical association’s decision to cut ties with Israel

SAMA calls for the Israeli Medical Association to condemn the blockade of essential medical supplies, among other demands

By MATTHEW HIRSCH

Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine-South Africa (HCW4P-SA) has welcomed a decision by the South African Medical Association (SAMA) to suspend ties with the Israeli Medical Association (IMA).

This follows a letter by HCW4P-SA addressed to South African healthcare institutions which stated: ‘The IMA, far from acting as an impartial guardian of medical ethics, has instead offered political cover for the state and failed to act against medical personnel engaged in violations of ethics and human rights.’

The group protested outside several hospitals.

Following these actions, SAMA announced its decision in a statement, to ‘immediately suspend all professional and bilateral relations with the IMA’ and called for the suspension of the IMA from the World Medical Association.

‘These decisions, adopted on 3 October 2025, follow grave concerns regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the conduct of the IMA in the context of international medical ethics and humanitarian obligations,’ SAMA said.

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Saadiq Moola of HCW4P-SA said the organisation has also called for health and academic institutions in South Africa and around the world to also cut ties with their Israeli counterparts.

SAMA’s chairperson Mvuyisi Mzukwa told GroundUp that in April 2024, the WMA established a working group to review the Declaration of Taipei (DoT), a routine process done every ten years.

‘The DoT outlines ethical principles governing the use of health databases and biobanks. The IMA volunteered to chair this working group, a decision endorsed by the chair of the WMA Council … Following a resolution by SAMA’s board, the association will withdraw from the working group unless the WMA reconsiders the appointment of the IMA as chair.’

SAMA echoed calls for the urgent release of all detained Palestinian medical personnel, for the IMA to condemn the systematic destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system and actively advocate for its immediate reconstruction, and for the IMA to condemn the blockade of essential medical supplies, among other demands.

In August, the World Medical Association condemned Israeli attacks on Nasser Hospital in Gaza, which killed and wounded journalists, health workers and civilians.

At the time, WMA President Dr Ashok Philip said: ‘Physicians, nurses, and all health workers dedicate their lives to saving others. Journalists play an essential role in documenting the truth in conflict zones. We urge the Israeli government to uphold its obligations under international humanitarian law, including safeguarding the functioning of medical services in conflict zones.

This article was first published by GroundUp.