A letter recently published in the medical journal The Lancet called for suspending the Israeli Medical Association’s membership in the World Medical Association. More than 1,000 doctors and medical professionals signed the letter, arguing that the Israeli Medical Association failed to act adequately in response to damage to Gaza’s healthcare system.
1+Now thousands of doctors worldwide are rallying to defend the Israeli Medical Association. Over 5,000 physicians from 46 countries have signed a petition opposing attempts to distance the Israeli Medical Association (IMA) from the World Medical Association (WMA), arguing that political considerations should not be brought into the activities of medical organizations.
In their letter, the signatories wrote that “medical organizations should remain spaces for scientific and universal cooperation, not serve as tools for political exclusion,” and warned that such steps could harm international cooperation and medical advancement. The Israeli Medical Association also rejected the call for its suspension, arguing it is a political move inconsistent with the principles of medical ethics.
1+The organization emphasized that doctors from around the world must continue working together for the benefit of patients, regardless of policy disputes. The issue is expected to come up for discussion at the upcoming assembly of the World Medical Association, where a decision will be made whether to advance the demand to suspend Israel or reject it.