Update (4/30/02): Since ADL wrote this letter, Hadassah has been in touch with the Israel Medical Association and other medical associations around the world. The World Medical Association has issued an official statement that the issue of IMA's status in the world body is not on the agenda. However, there is information that such a resolution might be introduced from the floor of the Council meeting. The President of the AMA has assured Hadassah that if this resolution were to come to the table, they will use all of their strength and influence to defeat it.

New York, N.Y., April 26, 2002 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today urged the American Medical Association to "vigorously oppose" the campaign to expel the Israel Medical Association (IMA) from the World Medical Association (WMA) at the body's upcoming meeting in Geneva.

In a letter to Dr. Richard F. Corlin, President of the American Medical Association, Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, said:

We want to bring to your attention a campaign to expel the Israel Medical Association (IMA) from the World Medical Association (WMA). We understand that this issue will be discussed by the WMA at an upcoming meeting in Geneva.

Israel's medical practitioners are internationally renowned for treating their patients with professionalism and dedication whether they be Israeli or Palestinian, Jewish, Christian, or Muslim, whatever the political environment.

The American media has documented numerous cases of emergency room doctors working to save the actual perpetrator of a suicide bombing standing alongside doctors working to save the scores of victims of the attack.

Israel's medical establishment has demonstrated time and again that politics has no role in medicine. Unfortunately, those behind this campaign to expel the IMA from the WMA do not uphold this same principle.

We urge the American Medical Association to vigorously oppose this campaign and work to ensure the continued inclusion of the Israel Medical Association in this world medical body.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.