Maintaining Trust: Consistency and WONCA’s Standing

The credibility and moral authority of international professional bodies like WONCA are built on their adherence to stated principles and their consistent application of these principles in practice.

The Caucus of Family Doctors for Global Justice argues that inconsistent responses to global crises, particularly the perceived disparity between WONCA’s approach to Ukraine and Palestine, undermine this crucial credibility.

Key arguments regarding WONCA’s credibility include:

• Impact of Inconsistency: A perceived double standard diminishes WONCA’s moral standing and its ability to be seen as a truly impartial and principled global health leader.
• Silence Enables: Maintaining a neutral position on actions described by sources as war crimes or ethnic cleansing is seen not only as immoral but as enabling future heinous acts. When professional bodies are silent on significant human rights abuses, it questions their commitment to their own stated values, such as respect for universal human rights and equity.
• Damage to Reputation: The continued membership of the Israeli Association of Family Physicians in WONCA is viewed by some as a “stain on WONCA’s reputation and standing internationally,” especially given the accusations of alleged complicity of the Israeli medical profession in alleged genocide, illegal occupation, and apartheid. Actions and associations that appear to legitimise practices described as breaching fundamental principles damage the organization’s image.
• Parallel with Apartheid South Africa: Drawing a parallel to the international isolation of apartheid South Africa, sources suggest that isolating the Israeli government and complicit elements of its society is necessary. A professional body’s willingness to engage with or provide a platform for representatives of a country accused by the ICJ of plausibly committing genocide and imposing apartheid risks severe damage to its global reputation.

To maintain its standing and fulfil its mission, WONCA must demonstrate consistent, principled action in response to all global crises that impact health and human rights, ensuring its responses align with its stated values and the ethical obligations of the medical profession.