Free Dr Abu Safiya – Protest Vigil for Health Workers in Gaza.
On Tuesday, 21 October, the Dorset Palestine Solidarity Campaign (DPSC) held a protest vigil outside Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester to demand the release of Doctor Hussam Abu Safia, the Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza.
Abu Safia was abducted by Israeli forces in December 2024 and remains in detention despite growing calls for his release.
Abu Safia is widely seen as the embodiment of the resilience of Palestinian medics, as Israel systemically targeted Gaza’s health sector for more than two years. In October 2024, Israeli forces stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital and detained 44 of its staff, leaving him and a handful of medical workers to care for dozens of wounded people.
Israeli forces killed Abu Safia’s son Ibrahim in a drone strike at the gate of the hospital. The doctor led the funeral prayers for his son in the hospital’s courtyard, accusing the Israeli military of killing his son to punish him for refusing to leave the hospital.
Abu Safia kept the world informed of Israel’s near-daily attacks, issuing video statements and pleading for international intervention to end the attacks until his abduction in December 2024.
Dr Husam Abu Safiya risked his own life to treat patients and provide care from a hospital under siege from the Israeli military. He now remains in detention without charge, alongside thousands of others, including many health workers.
At least 94 percent of hospitals in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed. Skilled doctors and healthcare workers have been killed, and hundreds of healthcare workers –were detained while working within hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Around 35 attended the vigil, listened to speakers and held a two-minute silence with candles.
Sam, a retired health worker and officer of Dorset Palestine Solidarity Campaign, told protestors:
“Doctor Abu Safia risked his life for his patients. He didn’t fight, and he didn’t carry a weapon; he healed people, he carried a stethoscope. He saw his son killed by the IDF in front of him, and still he stayed to care for his patients.
“He has been denied care, denied medication, and denied any contact with his family. He has lost lots of his body weight, suffers from scabies, and has been denied medicine, health care and legal counsel.
“The international community and human rights organisations such as Amnesty are demanding his release and all medics held in violation of international law.
“Dr Abu Safia is seen as a symbol of Palestinian resilience and humanity. It is this spirit Israel wants to crush. This is not only about the deliberate destruction of hospital buildings – it’s about destroying the skills of the wonderful surgeons and consultant doctors so vital for the future of the people of Gaza. We stand in solidarity with all medics in Israeli prisons and demand their release. Free Dr Hussam Aby Safia now!”
Suzzane a member of the union UNISON told protestors:
“Over 250 Palestinian health care workers have been detained; some have been arrested while performing surgery; others have been dragged from ambulances. Many have disappeared into prison without trial, charge or mercy.
“Paediatrician Dr Hussam Abu Safia stayed behind even when his child was murdered by the Israeli occupation forces. He walked out, hands raised and heart full of courage. What kind of world punishes a man who is trying to heal others?
“When they imprison doctors, they not only violate international law, they violate the soul of humanity. We must speak out and demand the immediate release of all healthcare workers”.
Lynne, health worker and International Officer for UNISON Health Branch said,
“There are still 9000 Palestinians held illegally. Over 450 are children. I saw Israeli captives released and the joy of being united with their families. But in Gaza and the West Bank, we just see crowds of people waiting, hoping to see their loved ones.
“The Palestinian captives are just portrayed on the BBC and in the media as numbers. They don’t have a mum and a dad and are not humanised in the same way. We have to relate to the humanity of the Palestinian people. That’s why we are here today.
“Israel has targeted the entire health infrastructure. They have imposed forced starvation. This is the first time a famine has been declared in the Middle East. This is a level of slow cruelty and death beyond words.
“Israelis have targeted the hospitals and schools to try and break the spirit of the Palestinian people. The Red Cross and Red Crescent – signs of non-combatants respected in conflicts across the world, are used as targets by Israel’s forces.
“Our hospitals embody the care and love that holds us together as a society. We have to stand united with our sister and brother health workers in Gaza. Free Dr Safia now!”
Where the hell is the corporate media? Sucking up to the Zionists as ever was.
