Taking a Stand: Actions for Family Doctors
The Caucus of Family Doctors for Global Justice provides a platform for collective action to address global justice issues [Homepage Draft – Section 5]. Regarding Palestine and our concerns about WONCA’s response, there are specific actions we urge family doctors and WONCA to take.
Our calls to action for WONCA and its constituent bodies include:
- Issue Condemnation: WONCA, WONCA Europe, WONCA Working Groups, and the Israeli Association of Family Physicians (IAFP) should issue a statement condemning the actions by the “genocidal apartheid Israeli government” against healthcare workers, facilities, and civilians in Palestine and Lebanon.
- Suspend IAFP Membership: If the IAFP does not issue this statement within 2 months, WONCA should suspend its membership.
- Relocate IAFP Membership: If the IAFP does issue the statement, WONCA and WONCA Europe should move the IAFP from WONCA Europe to WONCA East Mediterranean.
- Disinvite Representatives: WONCA and WONCA Europe should disinvite and refuse to invite representatives of Israeli medical and academic institutions from WONCA conferences and meetings if they have not publicly condemned the alleged genocide and apartheid.
- Dedicate Conference: WONCA should dedicate the WONCA Conference in Lisbon in 2025 to healthcare in Palestine, similar to WONCA Europe’s dedication for Ukraine.
- Support Palestinian Doctors: WONCA should utilise the creativity employed in supporting Ukraine in 2022 to create scholarships enabling Palestinian doctors to continue training in Family Medicine in WONCA member countries and discuss other support initiatives.
Beyond these specific demands for WONCA, family doctors can take broader actions:
- Support Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS): Sources draw a parallel between the BDS movement and the campaign that contributed to ending apartheid in South Africa. Palestinians have called for a boycott of Israel since 2005, and medical professionals like Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta advocate for the isolation of Israel from the international health community. BDS is described as a global struggle for Palestinian rights.
- Educate Yourself and Others: Use the provided resources to deepen your understanding of the history and current crisis. Challenge misinformation by learning the facts and debunking myths.
- Advocate: Speak up against biased statements and urge elected officials and institutions to take action based on international law and human rights.
- Support Palestinian Voices and Organisations: Listen to and amplify the voices of Palestinians. Support organisations working for Palestinian rights and providing humanitarian aid.
- Report Bias: If you experience or witness anti-Muslim or anti-Palestinian bullying or discrimination, report it.
We have a duty to listen to Palestinians when they ask for our help. Join us in taking a stand for justice and consistency in global health advocacy.
