Health system backs Arab staff at Rambam: 'Complaints were examined and rejected'

The Ministry of Health and medical staff organizations are backing the medical staff at Rambam Hospital following a complaint that sparked widespread public discourse against Arab doctors. Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov visited the hospital today (Tuesday), met with families of wounded soldiers and staff, and said that hospital director Dr. Michal Mekel examined the complaints professionally and rejected them. He gave full backing to the staff and warned against 'racist discourse' against Arab workers. Also, Chairman of the Nurses and Midwives Union Shaul Skiff visited the hospital and called the online attacks 'a spit in the face of the wonderful staff.' The criticism began with a post by Yehoshua Shani, chairman of the Gvura Forum, who claimed the staff treated his nephew and three friends wounded in southern Lebanon improperly, linking this to the staff speaking Arabic. Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to examine the claims, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for a thorough investigation. The hospital rejected the claims. Chairman of the State Doctors Organization Dr. Ze'ev Feldman called on politicians to keep their hands off the health system, and Chairman of the Israel Medical Association Prof. Zion Hagay said the complaints were found baseless. The Hospital Managers Association and the Israeli Association of Internal Medicine condemned the incitement.

The Ministry of Health and medical staff organizations are backing the medical staff at Rambam Hospital following a complaint that sparked widespread public discourse against Arab doctors. Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov visited the hospital today (Tuesday), met with families of wounded soldiers and staff, and said that hospital director Dr. Michal Mekel examined the complaints professionally and rejected them. He gave full backing to the staff and warned against 'racist discourse' against Arab workers. Also, Chairman of the Nurses and Midwives Union Shaul Skiff visited the hospital and called the online attacks 'a spit in the face of the wonderful staff.' The criticism began with a post by Yehoshua Shani, chairman of the Gvura Forum, who claimed the staff treated his nephew and three friends wounded in southern Lebanon improperly, linking this to the staff speaking Arabic. Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to examine the claims, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for a thorough investigation. The hospital rejected the claims. Chairman of the State Doctors Organization Dr. Ze'ev Feldman called on politicians to keep their hands off the health system, and Chairman of the Israel Medical Association Prof. Zion Hagay said the complaints were found baseless. The Hospital Managers Association and the Israeli Association of Internal Medicine condemned the incitement.

Health system backs Arab staff at Rambam: 'Complaints were examined and rejected'