Ireland’s largest public service union, Fórsa, has written to the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, seeking an intervention at EU level to secure the release of leading Palestinian doctor Dr Hussam Abu Safiya.
Dr Abu Safiya has been detained by Israeli Defence Forces since last Friday (3rd January). Amnesty International has said Dr Abu Safiya is one of hundreds of Palestinian healthcare workers from Gaza who have been detained by the IDF without charge or trial.
The IDF confirmed it has detained Dr Abu Safiya, following its forced clearance of Kamal Adwan hospital last Friday. Beit Lahia, where the hospital is located, has been under an IDF blockade since last October.
In correspondence to the Tánaiste issued today (Wednesday), Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said Fórsa’s national executive is seeking the intervention of the Department of Foreign Affairs on the matter.
“As one of the main trade unions representing health workers in Ireland, members have continued to actively express their solidarity through demonstrations and participation in groups including Irish Healthcare Workers for Palestine, and through motions passed at the union’s national conference last year,” he said.
Mr Callinan acknowledged that the closure of Israel’s embassy in Dublin limits any opportunity to petition the Israeli government directly, and therefore urged the Tánaiste to seek an intervention at EU level, which could help to advance the release of Dr Abu Safiya and other detained health workers.
He further acknowledged the Tánaiste’s continuing efforts to highlight the injustices of Israel’s actions in Gaza: “Fórsa shares your concerns and supports your call for an end to the devastating violence and the appalling humanitarian situation, both in Gaza and the West Bank,” he said.
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