I am bemused on two counts as to why the BJGP chose to publish Lesley Morrison's essay – Stories from Palestine and Israel.1
Firstly, it has no relevance to health concerns that I can determine other than in the most superficial way, or is it a contribution to the increasingly popular sport of Israel-bashing?
Secondly, Lesley Morrison's apparent mix of ignorance and naivety is breathtaking. Was she unaware that Israel is suspicious of foreigners who travel from Israel to the West Bank in view of the ever present risk of security being compromised? Then to visit Jenin of all places, regarded by Israel as the centre of militant terrorist activity and a Hamas stronghold in Fatah controlled territory. The place from which numerous suicide bombings and other armed incursions were launched during the second Intifada. The building of the wall has stopped these offensives against Israel's citizens but caused further frustrations for Palestinians.
No matter, if one waves one's British passport at the checkpoint there should be no problem in re-entering Israeli territory! But innocent foreigners, particularly young women, are considered by Israel to be very vulnerable to becoming ‘mules’ for terrorists. She may have friends in Israel and in Palestine and yet Lesley Morrison appears to be impervious to Israel's genuine security concerns. Her last paragraph gives the game away as to where her sympathies lie. Fair enough, but the BJGP should not be so easily lured into bias.
- © British Journal of General Practice, 2009.