Sama suspends relationship with Israeli Medical Association amid Gaza humanitarian crisis
The first vessel "Sirius" of a civilian flotilla, carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid and aiming to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, leaves the Barcelona.
Image: Lluis GENE / AFP
The South African Medical Association (Sama) has ended its relationship with the Israeli Medical Association (IMA).
Sama said it had reviewed its relationship with the IMA and decided to immediately suspend all professional and bilateral contacts.
It also asked that the IMA be suspended from the World Medical Association (WMA) until it makes meaningful changes.
Sama's decision comes in response to escalating conflict in Gaza and the detaining of activists aboard a flotilla that was trying to deliver humanitarian aid on Thursday.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which included ships carrying medicine, food, and protestors, was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters.
More than 40 vessels were involved, and many of the passengers have been detained.
SA's government, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, has condemned the interception as a violation of international law.
The government also called for the immediate release of SA activists who were on the flotilla — among them, the late former president Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla.
In a statement, SAMA laid out specific public demands for the IMA to meet if it wants relations restored.
Its demands are:
- Immediately demand the release of all detained Palestinian medical personnel;
- Publicly condemn the systematic destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system, and push for its reconstruction;
- Denounce the use of starvation as a tactic and the blockade on essential medical supplies; and
- Take active measures to ensure adequate medical care for all people under Israeli control — especially Palestinians in detention or in conflict zones.
Sama also said it would not take part in certain international medical working groups if the IMA remains in a leadership role there.
This move by Sama follows similar decisions by other medical bodies.
The British Medical Association voted to suspend its links with the IMA earlier in 2025, citing a failure by the IMA to condemn attacks on Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure.
The IMA has in turn attempted to respond by calling on Israeli authorities and government agencies to allow humanitarian access and protect medical workers.
However, critics argued these responses are insufficient and not strongly worded.
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