Jewish Doctor Exempted From Union Supporting BDS Boycott of Israel

Dr. Jacob Agronin, a Jewish doctor at a Philadelphia hospital, has received a full exemption from membership and dues to a professional union that supports boycotting Israel. Agronin, employed at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, was released from his obligation to join and pay dues to the union representing physicians at his workplace after arguing that the union's support for a boycott of Israel conflicted with his religious beliefs.

The decision came after a legal challenge filed on his behalf by the organization America First Legal, which sought recognition of his objection to the union on religious grounds. Agronin received approval on October 9, 2026, from the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) union, which is affiliated with SEIU Local 1957. According to the legal organization that represented him, the decision exempts Agronin from union membership, agency fees, and any other financial obligations stemming from the collective bargaining agreement between the union and the hospital.

Fox News reported that the letter approving his request also stated Agronin had never registered as a member of the union nor paid dues. The dispute began due to the union's political stances regarding Israel, notably a May 2024 resolution titled "Housestaff Against Apartheid." America First Legal claims this resolution accused Israel of apartheid and genocide, expressed support for the BDS movement, and urged academic institutions affiliated with the union to divest from Israel, including "human capital."

Agronin contended that financially supporting an organization holding these views contradicted his religious beliefs, which are based on Jewish law. His lawyers stated that the hospital's collective bargaining agreement required employees covered by it to join the union or pay agency fees as a condition of employment. On August 20, the legal organization, on Agronin's behalf, demanded recognition of his rights under the precedent set by the U.S. court case *Communications Workers of America v. Beck*. The request was later expanded to demand a full religious exemption under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Pennsylvania state labor law.

America First Legal's Chief, Julie Alexa Strauss, criticized the possibility of a Jewish doctor being compelled to support an organization with hostile views toward Israel. "It is deeply disturbing that a Jewish doctor could be forced to join, financially support, or be involuntarily represented by a union that falsely and maliciously accuses the State of Israel of apartheid and genocide, supports boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against Israel, and calls for the withdrawal of resources, including 'human capital,' from Israel," Strauss said in a statement. She added that federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and requires employers and unions to respect the protections within it.

Agronin's opposition to the union predates the exemption process. According to Fox News, in May 2026, he testified before the U.S. Congress, criticizing the union's response to the October 7 Hamas attack. In his testimony, he acknowledged the union expressed sorrow for the loss of life, called for the release of hostages, and opposed religiously motivated hatred. However, he criticized the omission of Hamas by name in the union's statements and its even-handed treatment of victims on both sides.

Attorney Meghan Redshaw, who represented Agronin for America First Legal, stated that the decision grants him a complete exemption from any financial or organizational obligations to the union. "We fought for and obtained a complete exemption from union membership and financial obligations to it, because any compulsion of financial or other support to CIR and its radical political agenda infringes upon our client's rights," Redshaw said. She added that both employers and unions are subject to federal civil rights laws and cannot use mandatory union membership or financial obligations to infringe upon employees' rights.