Australian Medical Association to meet Jewish doctors

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) will meet with Jewish doctors following controversy over the organisation’s response to the Middle East conflict.

Most recently, there has been criticism over its silence on Iran’s missile attack on an Israeli hospital.

Former AMA president and member of the Jewish community, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said she has spoken with current AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen about arranging the meeting with Jewish colleagues to “discuss a range of issues”.

There’s been sharp criticism from former AMA NSW representative Dr David Adler, who accused the peak medical body of applying double standards by remaining silent about Iran’s ballistic missile strike on Soroka Hospital in Beersheba while being outspoken about hospital damage in Gaza.

“When a hospital in Israel was recently hit by an Iranian ballistic missile, the AMA has [made] no comment,” Adler said.

“The AMA owes the Jewish doctors and the Jewish community generally an explanation for what appears to be double standards.”

Adler, who held elected positions with the AMA in the late 1980s and early 1990s, claimed the organisation had “lost its way” from its core medical advocacy role by becoming involved in political issues including climate change, immigration, refugee issues and the Voice referendum.

Adler recommended Jewish doctors consider leaving the AMA for alternative group, the Australian Medical Professional Society (AMPS), describing it as “much more focused on protecting the reputation and interests of doctors”.

However, Phelps strongly disagreed, encouraging Jewish doctors to join rather than leave the AMA.

“There is strength in numbers, and as an active member you can provide direct feedback and influence policy,” she said.

While acknowledging that “the Iranian missile attack on Soroka Hospital was abhorrent and was rightly condemned by the World Medical Association”, Phelps defended the AMA’s political role, saying it “has always been a political organisation”.

An AMA spokesperson said “all conflicts, including those currently occurring in the Middle East, are distressing for our members and the broader medical workforce”, and the organisation advocates “for all parties involved in conflict to respect the principles of medical neutrality during armed conflict” and that “any attack on, or misuse of, health facilities is unacceptable”.

The AMA reiterated its support for the World Medical Association Resolution on the Protection of Healthcare in Israel and Gaza, calling for safe release of hostages and adherence to international humanitarian law.