Rambam Director Told the Truth About the Incident with the Wounded Soldier and Arab Staff. Exclusive

Dr. Michal Mekel, director of Rambam Hospital in Haifa, in an exclusive interview with Ynet, rejected accusations that Arab medical staff mistreated a wounded IDF soldier. She stated that an investigation showed the complaints were completely unfounded. That night, a mixed team of Jewish and Arab doctors and nurses was on duty. The hospital received threats, and a guard was posted in the department.

Dr. Michal Mekel, director of Rambam Hospital in Haifa, in an exclusive interview with Ynet, categorically rejected accusations that Arab medical staff mistreated a wounded IDF soldier. The scandal began after a post by the brother of a soldier seriously wounded in Lebanon, who claimed that Arab medical staff did not let the family into the department and treated the wounded man roughly, turning him over "like a sardine." Mekel said the hospital conducted a thorough investigation, interviewing all staff on shift, and the check showed that "there is not a drop of truth in the complaints." She emphasized that that night a mixed team of Jewish and Arab doctors and nurses worked, including a religious Jewish doctor and an Arab reservist. Mekel explained that the intensive care unit is closed to visitors most of the day, with visits limited to twice a day, but exceptions are made for soldiers' families. On the night of the incident, August 7, relatives were asked to leave due to the arrival of new patients and procedures requiring isolation. The hospital received hostile letters and calls, a guard was posted in the department, and psychologists were brought in. Mekel expressed regret that politicians, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, made loud statements without waiting for fact-checking.