Doctors divided in their attitude to military strikes on Afghganistan

Only two national medical associations have so far come out unequivocally in support of the military action being taken by the United States and its allies to try to root out terrorism.

Israeli doctors “of course support the US and British led coalition against it [terrorism],” said Dr Yoram Blachar, chairman of the Israel Medical Association, and Dr Warren Jones, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, said that although the academy did not have an “official” position on the war, “We support our nation's elected leaders and any decisions they make.”

Inquiries by BMJ correspondents suggest that many medical organisations have decided to remain silent for the present. Others have come out with carefully worded statements expressing sympathy for the victims of the 11 September attacks and calling for humanitarian aid and a measured response.

The medical organisation that spoke out most vociferously against …