Jewish Doctors and Patients Under Siege: Antisemitism in Global Healthcare

Staff-Fueled Antisemitism Threatens Patient Safety Worldwide

In the wake of the October 7, 2023 Hamas atrocities, healthcare systems across the Western world have increasingly become battlegrounds for antisemitism. Spaces meant for care, trust, and ethical neutrality are being compromised by ideology-driven hostility toward Jews.

For Jewish patients and medical professionals, accessing or delivering healthcare has become a difficult balancing act—between receiving essential treatment or fulfilling professional duties, and trusting those responsible for care.

Rising Global Incidents of Antisemitism in Healthcare

Over the year following the October 7 attacks, Jewish medical advocacy organizations across multiple countries reported a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents among healthcare professionals. In several regions, formal complaints and regulatory reports rose dramatically compared to previous years.

Healthcare professionals who:

• Joke about violence against Jews

• Spread conspiracy theories or blood libels

• Use emotionally charged language to push extremist narratives

violate international medical ethical standards. Despite this, regulatory bodies often fail to respond decisively, sometimes dismissing overtly racist conduct as political expression.

Beyond Physicians: A Systemic Problem

This crisis extends beyond doctors. Midwives, nurses, dentists, therapists, and other healthcare workers have all been implicated in expressing or enabling antisemitism within professional environments.

The consequences are systemic and dangerous.

Consequences for Patients and Professionals

• Jewish healthcare workers conceal their identities out of fear of harassment or retaliation.

• Jewish patients delay or avoid life-saving treatment due to mistrust.

• Emergency care risks bias influenced by ideology.

• Institutions meant to heal become vectors for hate.

When bias infiltrates healthcare, patient safety is compromised and foundational principles—neutrality, ethics, and dignity—are eroded.

A Broader Threat Beyond the Jewish Community

Antisemitism is rarely isolated. When Jewish individuals are targeted, other minorities and dissenting voices are at risk. Today it is Jews; tomorrow, anyone who opposes extremist or authoritarian agendas may be targeted.

Healthcare systems cannot remain safe or credible while tolerating ideologies incompatible with ethical medical practice.

Take Action: Report and Prevent Antisemitism in Healthcare

Vigilance, accountability, and moral clarity are essential. Healthcare institutions must uphold ethical standards and reject extremist agendas.

If you have concerns, have witnessed, or believe you have experienced racist or antisemitic abuse in healthcare:

• Report incidents to local law enforcement.

• Contact Jewish advocacy, medical ethics, or human-rights organizations in your country.

• Document incidents and demand accountability from regulatory bodies.

Speaking out protects patients, professionals, and the integrity of medicine itself.