Jerusalem Court Rules Against Israeli Health Ministry Over Medical Licensing Discrimination
The Jerusalem District Court recently ruled in favor of an Israeli citizen who completed his medical studies at Tbilisi State Medical University in Georgia but was denied permission by the Israeli Ministry of Health to take the national medical licensing exam. The court found the ministry's decision discriminatory, noting that another student from the same class and clinical training hospitals was allowed to take the exam. The ministry had justified the discrepancy by claiming the other student was a returning resident eligible for bureaucratic exemptions under government policies for immigrants, while the petitioner, a resident of Israel who chose to study abroad, was not.
The petitioner, represented by attorneys Nidal Siagha and Rouba Abu Romhein-Safiya, challenged the ministry’s refusal, which was based on a 2019 directive requiring medical schools and clinical centers to be accredited by OECD countries or meet specific international standards. The court rejected the ministry’s argument, emphasizing the principle of equality and stating it was unreasonable that two students with identical education and training would receive different treatment regarding licensing eligibility.
Judge Ilan Sela highlighted the broader implications of the ministry’s decision, citing the petitioner’s family’s investment in his education and the potential economic consequences if he cannot practice medicine in Israel. The court ordered the ministry to revoke its March 2026 decision denying recognition of the petitioner’s studies and to promptly reassess his qualifications. If his education meets the criteria, he must be allowed to proceed with the licensing exam. The ministry was also ordered to pay the petitioner 7,500 shekels in legal costs.
The petitioner’s lawyers stated the ruling has significant regulatory and economic implications, underscoring that reforms for returning immigrants cannot arbitrarily create discrimination based on citizenship status. The Ministry of Health responded that its 2019 "Stable Reform" aims to ensure high-quality medical training and that the petitioner’s studies were not recognized due to insufficient training standards. The ministry said it is reviewing the court ruling and considering its options.
