MEDIA ADVISORY - Canadian Doctors Exit CMA Amidst CMA's Silence on the complete destruction of the Healthcare system in Gaza, War Crimes and Mass Graves found in Gaza

TORONTO, May 2, 2024 /CNW/ - On Friday, May 3rd, 2024, Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations-Canada (UOSSM Canada) and Canadians for Palestine will be delivering a press conference regarding Canadian doctors canceling their Canadian Medical Association (CMA) membership due to CMA's hypocrisy and silence on the complete destruction of the healthcare system in Gaza. Many physicians and healthcare workers in Gaza have been kidnapped, tortured and killed by the Israeli forces. This past week mass graves were also discovered at al-Shifa Hospital and Al Nasser hospital containing hundreds of bodies of patients, healthcare workers and children.

On May 1st, Canadians for Palestine's healthcare workers coalition launched a campaign against CMA's silence. Physicians across the country are cancelling their CMA membership in protest. The physicians  describe the hypocrisy and double standards of the CMA as the CMA actively supported Ukraine through public statements, donations, and divestment of all Russian Federation investments. However, the CMA has refused to make any statement in support of Gaza despite the complete obliteration of Gaza's healthcare system. The social media campaign was supported by notable figures like Dr. Yipeng, who was suspended by University of Ottawa after publishing a series of posts advocating for Palestinian human rights. The social media campaign also brought light to a letter campaign organized by the healthcare workers coalition, which was signed by over 1500 Canadian healthcare professionals. The letter detailed various concerns including evidence of Israel's targeted bombing and destruction of the entire healthcare system in Gaza, killing of more than 42,000 civilians 70% of whom are women and  children, anti-Palestinian racism within the Canadian healthcare system and discriminatory access to healthcare for new arrivals from Gaza.

Additionally, the conference will discuss the shocking finding of mass graves and torture uncovered in two hospitals in the Gaza strip. The mass graves contained  392 bodies, including women, children, and the elderly, who showed signs of torture and executions. Mohammed Mughier, the civil defense member said "we need forensic examination for approximately 20 bodies for who we think were buried alive." 10 bodies were found with hands bound, with some having medical tubes attached. As of April 25th, 2024, only 65 bodies had been identified as many bodies had been decomposing, mutilated, and tortured. However, Vedant Patel, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department claimed that the U.S. was asking the Israeli government for more information on the mass graves found. When questioned if they found the Israeli government to be a credible source, Patel asserted "We do." This is absolutely unacceptable, would the U.S. State Department consider Russia to be a credible source when investigating potential war crimes against Ukraine? As healthcare professionals, we also call for an independent investigation to be conducted, as requested by the UN Chief, European Union spokesperson, Amnesty International, and other human rights groups. These war crime scenes need to be protected for professional forensic assessment. Israel has so far prevented independent human rights investigators from entry into Gaza preventing assessment of the war crimes and human rights violations in Gaza as reported by Erika Rosas Amnesty International's Senior Director.

WHEN: Friday, May 3rd, 2024 at 10 am EST
WHERE: UOSSM office  at 255 Dundas St W Suite 129, Mississauga, ON L5K 1R6

Speakers Include:.

Dr Ali Iqbal ? A nephrologist and member of UOSSM
Dr. Aliya Khan ? A Clinical Professor of Medicine and a Board Member of UOSSM

Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations-Canada (UOSSM Canada) is an independent, nonprofit, non-government, medical, humanitarian organization, founded to support the health-related needs and well-being of people and communities affected by crises, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion or political affiliation. UOSSM Canada is dedicated to building sustainable health-related services and reducing human suffering, and is non-political and non-sectarian in its mission.

Canadians For Palestine, is the largest grassroots Palestinian advocacy organization based in Canada. It is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the rights of the besieged Palestinian peoples of Gaza, and all occupied Palestinian territories. The organization's mission is to educate, inform, and mobilize individuals and communities to support the Palestinian struggle for recognition and sovereignty. It includes over 5 vital sectors including educational, legal, grassroots, media, political, and research, and has attracted over 7000 professionals of all backgrounds to advocate with it under a unified strategy for Palestine Through peaceful advocacy, Canadians For Palestine aims to amplify the voices of Palestinians by standing for justice, equity, and human rights that transcend borders and are not limited by nationality, religion, ethnicity, or bodies.

SOURCE UOSSM Canada