Israeli Nursing Homes Face Severe Staff Shortage After Palestinian Workers Depart

Israeli nursing homes are experiencing a critical staff shortage following the abrupt departure of hundreds of Palestinian caregivers. These workers were forced to leave their jobs and return to the West Bank due to the cancellation or expiration of their work permits. Many feared severe penalties, including hefty fines and future entry bans, prompting their immediate departure.

The exodus of essential personnel threatens the quality of care for elderly residents. The crisis is directly linked to a general closure imposed on the West Bank during the Sukkot holiday, a measure recommended by the Shin Bet security agency. Traditionally, caregivers were considered essential workers and exempt from such restrictions, but a directive from the Ministry of Defense reportedly ordered the immediate departure of most Palestinian workers, with only a few exceptions.

Nursing home administrators and families of residents have expressed outrage over the decision, which they say places an immense burden on remaining staff and jeopardizes the well-being of vulnerable seniors. They are calling for an urgent review of the decision and the reinstatement of work permits, highlighting that humanitarian exceptions were previously made during similar lockdowns.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) stated that the closure was ordered by the Defense Minister based on an assessment of the security situation. While standard exceptions for medical and humanitarian cases, along with lists of key workers approved by the Ministry of Health, remain in place, COGAT could not provide a clear explanation as to why nursing home staff were excluded from these provisions.