Signatures Count
Collected so far: 5,188 signatures
Petition against anti-Israel activity and campaigns in the medical press.
Opened on June 15, 2009 | Contact Petition Author
Dear Dr. Edward Hill and Dr. Otmar Kloiber,
We, the undersigned (physicians), wish to express our support for WMA president Dr. Yoram Blachar and our strong opposition to any cynical attempt to intervene in the internal affairs of the World Medical Association in order to advance a political agenda.
As you know, neither Dr. Blachar nor the IMA in any way endorses or accepts acts of torture, degrading or inhuman treatment. The IMA Ethics Committee recently re-issued and re-publicized their guidelines forbidding the involvement of physicians in torture. In addition, they drafted a re-affirmation of the Declaration of Tokyo at the most recent WMA Council meeting, held in Tel-Aviv, Israel.
This is in addition to the efforts Dr. Blachar and the IMA have made on behalf of the Palestinian population, including attempts to cooperate with the Palestinian Medical Association, petitions to the Israeli Supreme Court on behalf of ill Palestinians, meetings with government and army officials, with human rights organizations, with the International Red Cross and with the WHO, in an effort to determine what can be done to improve the situation, creating a hotline which physicians could call in order to get ethical advice regarding morally questionable situations that might arise, and more.
As you are aware, during the recent war Dr. Blachar personally approached Israeli authorities to obtain security for all health personnel and to initiate the creation of a field hospital to provide medical help to the Palestinian population.
If an attempt had been made to present a more balanced picture, the above facts would have been cited, along with the fact that Israeli Physicians, IMA members, treat thousands of Palestinian patients, volunteer in various medical and humanitarian capacities with refugees and Palestinians, and work alongside their Palestinian colleagues on a daily basis. Were the same efforts expended on the part of the signatories to find ways to bridge our differences and help those suffering on both sides of the conflict, to promote peace instead of trying to destroy and expel, much more could be accomplished.
We would like to express appreciation for your unwavering support of Dr. Blachar and the IMA in the past and to urge you to remain steadfast in the face of political pressure from interested parties.
Sincerely, 
Signatures
Full Name Location Notes
Meyer Lifschitz MDJerusalemProfessor Emeritus, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
and
Staff Physician
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
Jerusalem
and
Staff Physician
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
Jerusalem
Robert Cooper, MDStuart, Florida, USAI find the politicization of the field of medicine to be abhorrent and reprehensible. One must repudiate calumniation and recognize individuals like Dr. Blachar who are dedicated to the health and betterment of mankind. The charge of advocating for or participating in torture is of the gravest nature as it suggests the most heinous of activities, a "Crime against Humanity." Those who "create" facts to bolster this political agenda are guilty of a deplorable act; that of sacrificing the truth at the perverse alter of character assassination. Shame on them!
Robert L. StamperSan Francisco,CA USAProfessor, Dept Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco
David Gozal, MDChicago, IL, USAHerbert T. Abelson Distinguished Professor and Chair
Department of Pediatrics
Physician-in-Chief, Comer Children's Hospital The University of Chicago
Department of Pediatrics
Physician-in-Chief, Comer Children's Hospital The University of Chicago
Ira RabinChicagoStop bigotry now!
Yadin DavidHouston, Texas, USADirector, Biomedical Engineering Consultants, firmly support Dr. Blachar and reject factless accusations.
Richard J FriedmanCharleston, SC USAClinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, SC USA
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, SC USA
Michael Goldrich, MDNew Brunswick, NJChief, Division of Otolaryngology
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Debra S. GardnerRichmond, VAAs an attorney, I am shocked that accusations can be presented as "fact" without any supporting evidence, and when the "facts" are disputed with contrary evidence, they are dismissed as irrelevant.
Jacob RosenblitSão Paulo-BrazilRetired from Albert Einstein Hospital.
I fully support the above statement.
Politics can´t interfere in Medicine.
I fully support the above statement.
Politics can´t interfere in Medicine.
David M. Polaner, MDDenver, CO, USAAssociate Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and The Children's Hospital, Denver
Meyer MagariciCaracas, VenezuelaPediatrician. Professor of Herbal Medicine. Director of Research and Development, Adaptogenic Medical Centers, Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
marc bergerNEW YORKthose who dont learn from history are damned to repeat it- Dreyfus was falsely accused 100+ yrs ago. without proof, anyone can make up anything about anybody
Stuart L. FischmanUS & IsraelAs a Professor in both the US & Jerusalem, I strongly support Dr. Blachar. I have volunteered in many parts of the world and politics should have no role in helping to make this world a better place.
Joseph ZorskiGöteborg,SwedenFamily physician.
This attack against dr Blachar is another attempt of stigmatisation,demonisation and isolation
of the Jewish state.
This attack against dr Blachar is another attempt of stigmatisation,demonisation and isolation
of the Jewish state.
