The statement of MK Orit Strock, according to which doctors will be able to refuse treatment if it goes against his religious beliefs, arouses strong opposition within the health system as well. Senior medical personnel said that the law could lead to the "closure of the state". Also, the Histadrut of Doctors announced Their intention is to fight against the law.
"Whoever passes a law that a doctor can refuse to treat, can shut down the country," says Prof. Ehud Grossman, director of the internal department at Sheba, former dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University.
"I can't imagine a situation where a doctor wouldn't treat a patient. If someone is a drug addict and it's against my worldview, or a terrorist or a prisoner, how is it possible for a doctor to decide that he avoids treating him? It's unlikely. It won't go anywhere."
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Those photographed have no connection to the news, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
According to Prof. Grossman, "This is contrary to the doctor's oath, in which we undertake to give treatments without distinction of gender or race. We do everything to save lives. To say that I do not treat because there is another doctor is a denial and it does not make sense. It is a statement that denies any logic and will not pass any framework. I have to take care of everyone who comes to me. Otherwise there is no end to the conversation. Every day we encounter patients who behave contrary to our worldview. Shall we not take care of them? As long as those who stand in front of us will receive the full treatment."
Although it seems that from a legal point of view, there is no connection between the law change in the coalition agreements and the patient's rights law which prohibits discrimination in receiving treatment based on considerations of religion, race, sex, nationality, country of origin, sexual orientation, age and more.
Attorney Dr. Adi Niv-Yagoda, an expert in health policy and medical law, won a petition in which it was determined that the failure to provide in vitro fertilization treatments to an unmarried woman at Laniado Hospital constitutes illegal discrimination.
According to Attorney Niv-Yagoda: "MK Struck consciously and deliberately chooses to embark on a campaign of discrimination and division in the health sector, while trying to create a new, legal and ethical infrastructure, one that will legalize wrongful discrimination in medical treatment. In practice, these are irresponsible statements that have the power to harm the health system the public and even endangering human lives from all corners of Israeli society.
Contrary to the words of MK Strock, the obligation to provide medical service to every person, regardless of their faith, religion or sexual orientation, will continue to apply. In practice, the prohibition of discrimination in the health system applies by virtue of Section 4 of the Patient's Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination in receiving treatment based on religion, race, Sex, nationality, country of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and more. As well as the oath of the Hebrew physician and the Hippocratic Oath. Any attempt to change or damage these principles will be met with a wall in the form of professional and public opposition."
Prof. Hagai Zion, photo: Oren Cohen
The Medical Association will fight the law: "Racism will be prevented from entering the health care system"
In the meantime, the Medical Association (RAI) intends to start a fight if there is an intervention in the way of medical care. Dr. Zeev Feldman, chairman of the State Physicians Organization and deputy chairman of the RAI, said: "Doctors are solely committed to patients and value the highest of human life.
We doctors act according to our oath only, regardless of religion, race or gender. The health system in the State of Israel is an island of sanity and coexistence.
We act in the light of the sanctity of life and human dignity and freedom.
We will all stand as a wall and prevent the entry of politics or racism into the health system."
The Chairman of the Medical Association, Prof. Zion Hagai, said: "Doctors in Israel are bound by the doctor's oath and will not allow any person or any law to change this fact." According to Prof. Hagai, "we will not allow anyone to introduce foreign or political considerations into the relationship between Doctors for patients.
The health system has always been an island of sanity, a symbol of coexistence, a place where Jews and Arabs work shoulder to shoulder, with the value of equality being a candle to their feet."
Hadas Ziv, Vice President of Ethics at the Physicians for Human Rights Association, said: "Just such a proposal, even if it doesn't pass in the end, erodes the values of medical ethics to which all doctors are committed.
You must not be confused by the washed-up language of the right-wing-extreme-religious parties - the demand that doctors provide equal treatment cannot be defined as coercion - this is their mission and this is their profession.
Whoever is unable to meet this supreme duty and provide equal treatment to all his patients should not become a doctor.
The discourse led by Strock and his ilk will crush the medical community and it seems that's where it's headed."
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