Int. Medical Student Association suspends 'Israel' amid Gaza genocide
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The Brazilian association initially aimed to oust 'Israel' from IFMSA, but the request was rejected, with members instead voting for a two-year suspension of the occupation.
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The International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), founded in 1951, is one of the world’s oldest and largest student-run organizations, undated. (IFMSA)
"Israel's" medical students association has been suspended for two years by the International Federation of Medical Student Associations (IFMSA) with a two-thirds majority vote due to the occupation's ongoing genocide in Gaza and "a lack of morals and humanitarian values."
The decision was initiated by the Brazilian association following a Zoom meeting held earlier this week, originally aiming to oust "Israel" altogether. However, the request was rejected, with two-thirds of the 123 countries agreeing to a two-year suspension that would be reviewed in August 2025 and August 2026.
"Israel" could face permanent removal from the international forum if the association's decision is not reversed or remains unchanged.
Israeli representative Miri Schwimmer claimed the proposal was rushed through by the end of the meeting, bypassing the standard procedure of announcing the decision in advance.
BDS: FIFA shielding 'Israel' from ban until after Olympics
Banning and suspending "Israel" amid its genocide in the Gaza Strip has been a contentious topic when it comes to the occupation's participation in international groups, associations, and events.
FIFA, the global football governing body, has decided to postpone the vote on banning the Israeli occupation from international football until after the Olympics, drawing widespread condemnation.
The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement and various human rights organizations, accused FIFA of shielding the Israeli occupation from accountability for its crimes in Gaza.
The BDS movement issued a statement condemning FIFA's decision, highlighting the ongoing violence in Gaza where the Israeli occupation has intensified its military operations.
According to the statement, in recent days, the Israeli occupation has killed several young footballers, including Sayyed Yousef Odeh (16), Yazan Al-Sarsawi (11), and Shadi Abu Al-Arraj (36).
The BDS movement also reported that the Israeli occupation forces bombed a UN school in Gaza on July 9, killing at least 30 Palestinians, including children playing football.
The statement details the devastating impact of the conflict on Palestinian sports, with at least 240 Palestinian footballers, including 67 minors, killed at the hands of the Israeli occupation. Additionally, 15 have been injured and 12 imprisoned.
The Israeli occupation has also targeted and damaged 49 Palestinian sports facilities, using some stadiums as detention and torture centers.
FIFA's decision has been met with widespread criticism, with many calling for immediate action to ban the occupying regime from international football.
