Health Ministry director urges medical workers considering leaving Israel not to do so

Moshe Bar Siman-Tov, the Health Ministry’s director-general, calls on medical workers considering leaving Israel over the government’s judicial overhaul not to do so.

“I know that there are many walking around today with very difficult feelings, and it’s understandable. Instinctive responses to the issue are also understandable. Having said that everyone also knows that we don’t have another country or health system,” he says.

“I really think that nobody among us has the privilege to give up, not on the country and not on the system. We are the foundation of societal solidarity in Israel and show where it’s possible to live, work and receive care together,” he adds.

He says public health workers’ have significant independence in their duties, and should give a reason for them to remain.

“Don’t give up on it and don’t go to other systems. Stay here and you will be part of setting the rules by which it operates. The health minister was updated about this meeting and we are committed to you, to ensuring your ability to continue and make the right decisions, and to prevent as much of the background noise and disputes in Israeli society from affecting the way the system works,” Bar Siman-Tov says.