Why the position of Palestinian health workers in Israel has grown increasingly precarious

The position of Palestinian health workers in Israel has become increasingly precarious due to a recent controversy at Rambam Hospital in Haifa. The issue arose when allegations surfaced that Palestinian medical staff mistreated Israeli soldiers, leading to public backlash. This controversy sparked broader discussions about linguistic rights and the treatment of Palestinian citizens within the healthcare system.

Following the Rambam case, Palestinian healthcare workers have faced increased scrutiny, disciplinary actions, and threats to their careers. The Israeli Medical Association responded mildly to the situation, while other medical associations condemned the attacks on Palestinian workers. However, the broader healthcare system's reliance on Palestinian citizens – who make up around 40% of the workforce – has also led to their treatment as an internal threat.

The Israeli healthcare system's integration of Palestinian healthcare staff has not resulted in political equality or protection, as their language, political expression, and identity remain regulated and monitored. Responses from within the medical establishment have been mixed, with liberal and centrist voices condemning the racism while simultaneously portraying the Israeli healthcare system as insulated from racism.

This liberal framing, adopted by some Palestinian workers, distorts the historical experiences of Palestinians within the Israeli healthcare system and the events following the 7 October 2023 incident. It also obscures the political work performed by this system in governing Palestinians on both sides of the Green Line. The author argues that the violence and repression faced by Palestinian citizens of Israel cannot be separated from the genocide in Gaza and the ongoing ethnic cleansing in the occupied West Bank.

These workers must come together to organize against the current status quo, as the violence they experience is rooted in the broader structures of Israeli settler-colonial rule.