[6 Aug 2003,     John A. Zaloom to N&O? regarding American Medical Association]

I find it very disturbing that the AMA has decided to take sides in the
Middle East conflict, and has taken the side of the extremist Israelis
who believe that only Israelis are victims in the conflict and that
Palestinians lives and well-being are worth much less than that of
Israelis. 

Your publishing an article on the medical effects on Israelis of living
with multiple "terrorist attacks" is a blatant political decision.  One
of authors of that article even denies that Israeli settlers have taken
land that the whole world recognizes belongs to Palestinians (on NPR this
morning he referred to them as "disputed territories"). 

The question that your decision begs is:  When will you print a report on
the medical conditions that the Palestinians are suffering from living
under oppressive occupation, and suffering the destruction of their homes
and livelihoods, and the indiscriminate detention, harassment, and
killing of their loved ones by the Israeli government? 

By printing the article on the Israeli "victims," the AMA is helping to
perpetuate the notion that the lives -- and health -- of Israelis have
greater value than do those of Palestinians, the vast majority of whom,
while they support the struggle for self-determination and freedom from
Israeli control, have absolutely nothing to do with "terror" -- except
that they are often victims of the terror perpetrated against them by
Israel. 

As an American, I expect a lot better from an organization that purports
to speak for the American medical profession and comprise "Physicians
dedicated to the health of America."  It does not seem that your mission
would include perpetuating the propaganda of Israeli expansionists and
opponents of Middle East peace.--

  John A. Zaloom