Falconer offers cheap platitudes for abducted Gazan doctor

Middle East minister Hamish Falconer’s platitudes for Gazan pediatrician Hussam Abu Safiya, a hospital director abducted in 2024, were rebuked for their hypocrisy.

On 5 May, Falconer took to X to say:

I am aware of the concerning reports about the treatment of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya who is still in Israeli detention. We have raised his case again today with the Israeli authorities. Britain’s commitment to the rule of law and a fair trial is resolute.

Falconer’s empty talk

Nothing says ‘resolute commitment to the rule of law’ quite like arming the very regime (Israel) that flouts it, does it, Hamish?

Journalist Hamza Yusuf replied to Falconer’s post, saying:

“Treatment of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya.” You misspelled torture.

Political commentator and Green Party activist Ashok Kumar also weighed in:

The state you arm every day and provide surveillance for every day, free of charge, no strings attached, continues its genocide and targeted murder of every civilian part of Palestinian life. You’re an active accomplice in the torture of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. We will never forget.

Saul Staniforth also condemned the minister’s platitudes.

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has also condemned the multiple “beatings” Abu Safiya had been

“This is the end.”

From inside an underground Israeli detention facility, with his features barely recognizable after severe beatings, Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya said he had been transferred to another prison in preparation for his murder.

The International Committee… pic.twitter.com/EWFI3PwEMi

— Euro-Med Monitor (@EuroMedHR) July 5, 2026

They said:

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) must visit Dr. Abu Safiya immediately and ensure his safety. The world must not allow yet another doctor to be killed!

Urgent rally by PSC

Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) has called for an urgent rally on Tuesday in Downing Street, London, to express solidarity with Abu Safiya.

🚨URGENT RALLY – Solidarity with Dr Husam
⏰7 July, 6PM
📍Downing Street, London

Israel has detained Dr. Abu Safiya without charge for 18 months – he is now in a critical condition. Join our protest to demand our government take immediate action to push for his release, demand… pic.twitter.com/Furc91lu7N

— Palestine Solidarity Campaign (@PSCupdates) July 6, 2026

Dodging accountability

The minister for the Middle East seems to have made quite a habit of evading accountability.

When asked last week by Declassified why his government allows British citizens to commit genocide in Gaza, Falconer ran through traffic in Whitehall, the outlet reported:

Foreign minister Hamish Falconer refused to answer questions yesterday about the UK government’s failure to stop British nationals fighting for the Israeli army in Gaza.

It comes after more than 25,000 people signed a letter to the Foreign Office demanding they investigate UK… pic.twitter.com/bNNcJSc4hh

— Declassified UK (@declassifiedUK) July 3, 2026

Just last week, Falconer responded to a question from Jeremy Corbyn about Israeli settlements by implying that Corbyn’s criticism of the Israeli government’s actions was “antisemitic”:

Corbyn demands smear retraction from Zionist minister Falconer

In a searing letter to the Starmeroid shill, @jeremycorbyn told Falconer that he will be raising a formal ‘point of order’https://t.co/rbSriMF6vQ https://t.co/rbSriMF6vQ

— Canary (@TheCanaryUK) July 2, 2026

Falconer’s “concern” costs nothing. British arms cost lives.

Featured image via the Canary