The haunting images of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital, walking through the rubble in his white coat before being kidnapped by Israeli forces have sent shockwaves around the world. Dr. Abu Safiya was the last doctor remaining in the last functioning hospital in northern Gaza, which has since been burned down by Israeli forces, burning medical staff alive in the process. Israeli forces detained more than 350 people from the hospital, including medics and injured individuals. We are demanding the immediate release of Dr. Abu Safiya and his colleagues, and we need your help!
We call on the United States to finally do something: to use its influence and force Israel to immediately release Dr. Abu Safiya and ALL medical personnel in detention, to demand that Israel stop attacking hospitals and healthcare workers and demand that Israel allow the entry of necessary supplies and personnel to serve the sick, injured, and dying in Gaza. Most of all, tell Israel to stop the killing! Healthcare is not a crime. Deliberately attacking hospitals, medical staff, and patients is a crime and must be stopped.
1️⃣ Sign the petition below to Dr. Dafna H. Rand, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), to demand Dr. Abu Safiya, and his colleagues’ release!
2️⃣ Then, send a letter to the DC Israeli Embassy Demanding Dr. Abu Safiya’s Release!
3️⃣ And! Use this toolkit to take even more action to free healthcare workers in Israeli detention!
Dr. Dafna H. Rand,
We, the undersigned, are horrified by the kidnapping of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and over 180 medical staff of Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital by the Israeli military. We call on you to use your influence and power to force the release of these individuals from Israel’s Sde Teiman detention center — where Israeli soldiers have tortured prisoners to death. This is both your moral and legal obligation as Israel continues to violate international law. Dr. Abu Safiya was the last doctor remaining in the last functioning hospital in northern Gaza, which has since been burned down by Israeli forces, burning medical staff alive in the process. Israeli forces detained more than 350 people from the hospital, including medics and injured individuals.
Dr. Abu Safiya holds a passport from Kazakhstan and could have fled Gaza long ago, but he refused to leave the wounded behind. Despite constant bombardment and the vengeful murder of his 15-year-old son in late October by Israel, Dr. Abu Safiya was committed to his patients. He endured over 448 days of bombing, raids, and unlivable conditions because he cares about the people of Gaza. He was brave enough to make such a massive sacrifice — the least you must do is demand his release and the release of all medical staff in Israeli detention.
Since early October, Dr. Abu Safiya issued repeated, desperate calls to the international community, on a near daily basis, detailing the inhumane conditions Israel has created and pleading for help and the U.S. did nothing. For 15 months, Israel has attacked health workers and hospitals. International law prohibits deliberate attacks against medical facilities and personnel, as well as the wounded and sick. Dr. Abu Safiya has dedicated his life to protecting the lives of children in Gaza, his arrest is not only unjust – it is a violation of humanitarian law. We call on you to take this opportunity to do something: use your influence and force Israel to immediately release Dr. Abu Safiya and ALL medical personnel in detention, demand that Israel stop attacking hospitals and healthcare workers and demand that Israel allow the entry of necessary supplies and personnel to serve the sick, injured, and dying in Gaza.
Most of all, tell Israel to stop the killing! Healthcare is not a crime. Deliberately attacking hospitals, medical staff, and patients is a crime and must be stopped. Americans have made these demands for over a year now, it’s time to do the right thing.
Sincerely,