Senior Asuta Doctor Faces Backlash for Racist Remarks Against Mizrahi Likud Voters

Dr. Dov Laksman, a senior gynecological surgeon and manager at the Asuta medical network in Israel, has sparked outrage after posting deeply racist comments targeting Mizrahi voters who support the Likud party. Over the past day, Laksman published several Facebook posts disparaging Mizrahi Likud supporters, particularly Moroccan Jews, using offensive animal comparisons and derogatory language. He described them as "baboons," "violent," "low IQ," and "brainwashed," among other insults.

In one post, Laksman categorized Likud voters by types of monkeys, labeling the majority as "baboons," mostly Mizrahi and Moroccan, and accused them of being angry and inferior. In another post, he disparaged the possibility of former minister Ron Dermer leading Likud, saying an Ashkenazi leader was needed to control the "herd" of Mizrahi voters. He also called on commenters to "raise the level above the baboons, stinky brain-dead Moroccans."

These repeated posts reveal a pattern of blatant racism rather than isolated mistakes, especially troubling given Laksman’s role managing care for many patients from the very communities he insulted. The Asuta network, which employs and serves a large number of Mizrahi Israelis, was questioned about potential disciplinary actions. Asuta responded that it is an apolitical medical provider committed to treating all patients equally, condemned the remarks as unrepresentative of the organization, and confirmed that Laksman was summoned for a meeting with the hospital director.

The incident highlights ongoing ethnic tensions within Israeli society and raises questions about accountability for public figures in healthcare who express discriminatory views against significant segments of the population they serve.