In 1949, Dr Leo Alexander, a psychiatrist and consultant to the Secretary of War on the Nuremberg trials, wrote in The New England Journal of Medicine on “Medical Science under Dictatorship”:
This is a much needed insight into the double standards towards Israel. As you mention-what about China, Sudan, Russia--the list goes on!! And of course Hamas!
One of the most important articles I’ve read since the disturbing post-October 7 explosion — and normalisation — of antisemitism in our institutions and fabric of society. Precisely because it scrutinizes the erosion of norms - something we may deem to be trivial but is a dangerous slippery slope. The IFMSA decision and conduct are indefensible on many levels.
Agree. Unfortunately the push-back is a necessary and time-consuming undertaking. I recently read Malcolm Gladwell's new book "Revenge of the Tipping Point". In chapter 7 he writes about the L.A. Survivor's Club which describes how no one talked about the WWII atrocities against the Jews and even the word holocaust was not used or accepted for such a long time. This has now changed but still there are so many people who are unaware of the holocaust and others, as you know, who don't even believe it happened. Anti-semitism continues and needs to be pushed back against wherever it rears its ugly head.
Peter
This is a much needed insight into the double standards towards Israel. As you mention-what about China, Sudan, Russia--the list goes on!! And of course Hamas!
Thank you Peter for highlighting this unacceptable behavior and the debate that will face the WHO EB !
Indeed - thank you for this thoughtful commentary Peter. It is very disturbing
One of the most important articles I’ve read since the disturbing post-October 7 explosion — and normalisation — of antisemitism in our institutions and fabric of society. Precisely because it scrutinizes the erosion of norms - something we may deem to be trivial but is a dangerous slippery slope. The IFMSA decision and conduct are indefensible on many levels.
Agree. Unfortunately the push-back is a necessary and time-consuming undertaking. I recently read Malcolm Gladwell's new book "Revenge of the Tipping Point". In chapter 7 he writes about the L.A. Survivor's Club which describes how no one talked about the WWII atrocities against the Jews and even the word holocaust was not used or accepted for such a long time. This has now changed but still there are so many people who are unaware of the holocaust and others, as you know, who don't even believe it happened. Anti-semitism continues and needs to be pushed back against wherever it rears its ugly head.
Fully agree. Hope the WHO EB takes a robust and principled decision to send the right signal to others/
Thank you for posting this, Peter.
Good news! IFMSA reversed its decision to suspend the Federation of Israeli Medical Students!
FIMS statement: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fims-federation-of-israeli-medical-students_fims-statement-regarding-our-suspension-from-activity-7310474221749465088-nAls?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAAOeYQEBgSomqcZ-fagwTbY6cb9Rlr50yUE
IFMSA statement: https://ifmsa.org/ifmsa-clarifies-membership-status-of-fims-after-procedural-review/