Petition: Call on the Canadian Medical Association to Condemn the Targeting of Health Workers in Gaza
To: The Canadian Medical Association

We, the undersigned, call on the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) to urgently release a statement condemning the flagrant and unethical targeting of health workers in Gaza and the total destruction of hospitals and many medical facilities in the region.

Background: The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to catastrophic conditions, with over 40,000 people killed, many of them women and children. The healthcare system is on the brink of collapse due to continuous airstrikes and blockades, making it nearly impossible for medical professionals to provide essential care. The recent Lancet article, "Healthcare in Gaza: A Crisis of Human Rights," underscores the severe humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for unfettered access to medical aid.

Irony of Silence: We find it profoundly ironic and troubling that the CMA will be hosting an international conference on Physician Health "to showcase research and system-level initiatives to mitigate burnout and promote professional well-being", between Oct 17 - 19,  while remaining silent on the targeted killing and arrest of health workers in Gaza. How can we discuss physician health and well-being without addressing the dire conditions faced by our colleagues in Gaza, who are risking their lives to save others under unimaginable circumstances?

Our Call to Action: As Canadian health workers and users of the healthcare system, we are appalled by the silence from the CMA regarding these atrocities. The targeting of health workers and the destruction of medical facilities are gross violations of international humanitarian law and ethical medical standards. We demand that the CMA take a firm stand and publicly speak out against these actions.

We Demand:

1. A Public Statement: The CMA must release an immediate public statement condemning the targeting of health workers and the destruction of medical facilities in Gaza.
2. Support for Health Workers: The CMA should express its support for health workers in Gaza who are risking their lives to save others under dire conditions.
3. Advocacy for Unfettered Access: The CMA must advocate for the international community to ensure unfettered access to humanitarian and medical aid in Gaza.
4. Ethical Responsibility: The CMA should reaffirm its commitment to upholding the ethical standards of medical practice, including the protection of health workers and facilities in conflict zones.
5. Sign This Petition: By signing this petition, we are standing in solidarity with health workers in Gaza and demanding that the Canadian Medical Association break its silence and take a moral stand against these egregious violations of medical ethics and human rights. Our collective voice can make a difference. Let us ensure that the CMA upholds the values of compassion, integrity, and justice that are the foundation of the medical profession.

[Sign the Petition]

Why This Matters: The silence of our professional bodies in the face of such atrocities is not just a passive stance but a form of complicity. It is our ethical duty as healthcare professionals and users to demand that the CMA, as our representative body, speaks out against these injustices. The lives of countless civilians and dedicated health workers depend on our collective action.

Together, we can make a difference. Let us stand up for what is right and ensure that the Canadian Medical Association leads by example in advocating for the protection and support of health workers in Gaza.