An Israeli-American surgeon, Prof. Sharona Ross, was scheduled to address the 27th Lebanese Spring Congress of Surgery via video link. This virtual appearance was planned for an event held at the Le Royal Hotel in Dbayeh, north of Beirut. The congress, in its 27th iteration, is a significant event in the Lebanese medical calendar, bringing together professionals from various surgical disciplines. The decision to invite Professor Ross, even virtually, quickly ignited a contentious debate within the country.
Boycott Campaign Success
The opposition to Professor Sharona Ross's appearance was spearheaded by Boycott/Resistance-Lebanon, a local initiative. This Lebanese initiative actively campaigns against any perceived normalization with Israel. The group welcomed the conference's decision to cancel the appearance, asserting that the cancellation demonstrated adherence to Lebanese law and a firm rejection of normalization with Israel. Lebanon maintains a formal boycott law that prohibits contact with individuals or entities from Israel, a statute that has been consistently enforced since its inception.
Boycott/Resistance-Lebanon stated, "Medicine cannot be separated from ethics, and Beirut must not become a channel for breaking the isolation of Israeli institutions and figures." The group noted that the incident raised a broader question about whether medical institutions can effectively separate professional activities from political and ethical responsibilities, particularly during periods of conflict. This cancellation, they argued, showed the ethical considerations that must accompany professional engagements, especially when they involve individuals from states with which Lebanon has an adversarial relationship. The initiative emphasized that such events are viewed as attempts to undermine the country's long-standing boycott policy.
Surgeon's Background and Controversy
The boycott initiative claimed Professor Sharona Ross's past remarks contributed to a "whitewash" of the Israeli army's image and its actions in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. Ross had previously stated in an interview that her military experience was instrumental in shaping her professional future. This perspective fueled the opposition, with the boycott initiative asserting that "Medicine cannot be separated from ethics, and Beirut must not become a channel for breaking the isolation of Israeli institutions and figures." Her service included two years in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). This specific detail about her military background was a key point of contention for Boycott/Resistance-Lebanon, which views any association with the Israeli military as problematic. The group's concerns centered on what they described as an attempt to normalize interactions with Israeli figures, particularly given Lebanon's existing boycott laws and the historical context of conflict between the two nations. The initiative specifically claimed Ross's remarks helped 'whitewash the image of the Israeli army and its crimes in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria,' further intensifying their call for her exclusion from the virtual event.
Broader Implications and Reactions
Organizers canceled Professor Sharona Ross's virtual appearance after objections reached Lebanese Order of Physicians President Elias Chalhoub and Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine. The intervention of such high-ranking officials showed the political sensitivity of the matter and the widespread opposition to the planned appearance. The affair reignited debate in Lebanon concerning the academic and medical boycott of Israel, a topic that frequently surfaces in public discourse. Lebanese groups have repeatedly invoked the country's boycott law to demand the exclusion of Israeli individuals and films featuring Israeli actors from events held within the country. This enforcement reflects ongoing efforts to uphold the boycott, which prohibits contact with Israeli entities, extending even to cultural and academic exchanges. The cancellation shows the persistent sensitivity surrounding interactions with Israeli professionals, even in academic or medical contexts, within Lebanon. This particular case notes the scrutiny applied to such engagements, demonstrating the active role various Lebanese groups play in monitoring and enforcing the boycott regulations, ensuring that the country's official policy is maintained across different sectors. The incident also served as a reminder of the deep-seated political and ethical considerations that permeate professional spheres in Lebanon, especially concerning its relationship with Israel.
