Women's Groups Appeal to Supreme Court Over Gynecologist's Medical License

The Women's Lobby and the Union of Assistance Centers for Victims of Sexual Assault have appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn a lower court's decision to reinstate the medical license of gynecologist Dr. Beni Shechter. Shechter was convicted of sexual offenses against patients. The appeal follows a ruling by retired Judge Straussnov that Shechter would resume treating women, with his license to be restored in about a year and a half. The Jerusalem District Court had previously dismissed the organizations' petition in August, with Judge Nimrod Flex ruling that under the Physicians Ordinance, the groups lacked the standing to appeal the decision, and that the disciplinary prosecutor for the Ministry of Health also lacked legal standing at the time. The Supreme Court is now expected to decide whether to hear the appeal. "This decision severely harms the public interest," stated Hila Noybach, Director of the Legal Department at the Union of Assistance Centers, arguing that the district court's interpretation limits appeals to disciplinary sanctions only to the physician themselves. "Our role is to give voice to those harmed by Shechter and to all women who could be harmed by him in the future if his license is returned," she added. Tal Hochman, CEO of the Women's Lobby, vowed, "We will not stop until Beni Shechter's medical license is permanently suspended. This is a sex offender who committed multiple offenses against patients and served time in prison. It is inconceivable that such a person would return to the treatment room, the scene of the crime where he harmed patients and endanger more women. We will not stop until this justice is done."