Colleagues supported an Arab doctor who suffered from racist harassment

A support rally was held at Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh) for Arab doctor Walid Salah, who faced racist harassment on social media after a video was posted with complaints from a patient's escort. Hospital management stated zero tolerance for racism and threats. The video's author said his goal was to help a homeless woman, not to incite hatred.

On Monday, November 9, a support rally was held at Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh) in Be'er Ya'akov for Dr. Walid Salah, an Arab doctor who faced racist harassment on social media. The incident was sparked by a video in which a man accompanying a patient accused him of improper treatment. The discussion escalated into attacks on Arab doctors, who were called 'terrorists.' Jewish and Arab hospital staff and management gathered under the slogan 'We are together, you are not alone.' Professor Zion Hagay, chairman of the Israel Medical Association, came to support the doctors. The administration reported that over the past two days, medical workers had faced racist insults and threats. Dr. Salah thanked his colleagues and noted that he continued to treat the patient. The video's author, Shimon Gil, stated that his goal was to help a homeless woman and distanced himself from racist comments. Dr. Salaha Abu-Sbia (Freij) said she did not come to her shift on November 8 out of fear and emphasized that her background is not an indictment. Hospital management declared zero tolerance for racism and threats.