fbpx

News

Lancet editor ‘deeply regrets’ letter published on Gaza

[ssba]

Editor of the world-renowned UK based medical journal, The Lancet, Prof. Richard Horton visited Israel this week in what he described as “a turning point” in his relationship with the region.

Horton’s visit came after The Lancet had published a controversial 1,600-word “Open letter for the people in Gaza” during Operation Protective Edge. Signed by 24 medical professionals, the letter called the operation “a massacre, a so-called defensive aggression. In reality it is a ruthless assault of unlimited duration, extent, and intensity.” The letter also dismissed Hamas’s persistent rocket attacks on Israeli civilians.

The journal published little by way of a response. It later emerged that two of the letter’s authors had publicised materials in support of American white supremacist David Duke.

Speaking at Haifa’s Rambam Medical Centre, Horton said candidly, “First, I deeply regret the completely unnecessary polarization that publication of the letter … caused … Second, I was personally horrified at the offensive video that was forwarded by two of the authors of that letter.” More generally, he said, “I am proud and humbled to be here … I’ve learned a great deal,” describing Rambam as “a model of the partnership between Jews and Arabs … a place with a unique vision for a peaceful, productive, and diverse future among peoples.”

During his visit, Horton also visited a clinic next to the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station with Health Minister Yael German. The clinic treats African migrants for free. Horton commented that his visit had exposed “a different reality and the humanitarian efforts Israel and its medical teams make for refugees, Syrian wounded, patients from the West Bank and Gaza, and needy populations in Israel.”

Horton pledged that his visit would represent “a fresh start for a new and different future.” He encouraged Israel to “more often show its beautiful face in health and science that I saw here during my visit.”