Today, The Lancet, one of the world's best-known and most respected general medical journals released its latest edition. It focused entirely on "Health in the Occupied Palestinian Territory." The launch took place in London and was broadcast via videolink at Palestine Center in Washington DC on March 4th. Journalists, government officials, academics and members of the general public gathered at the Center to hear several of the papers' authors present.
Richard Horton, the editor-in-chief of The Lancet, said the issue was created "to make the invisible visible." By documenting scientifically the health consequences of the Israeli occupation of Palestinians, the issue suggests that Palestinian "human security" is essential to peace, as former President Jimmy Carter suggests in his Comment.
The Lancet became well-known among political observers when in 2004 it published estimates of the Iraq war's civilian death toll. At the time, many were not discussing it publicly, and that study forced it into the open.
This edition of The Lancet brought together the best researchers and epidemiologists from the occupied Palestinian territory, UN agencies, and international scientists, to examine in depth the long term health issues for all groups living in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The United States launch was made possible by the work of the Vineeta Foundation, in collaboration with The Lancet, Birzeit University, Medical Aid for Palestinians, and The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Want more information about this issue?
Listen to the Editor-in-Chief Richard Horton discuss this issue.
