Former Senior Israeli Surgeon Defends Racist Remarks Against Mizrahim and Moroccan Jews

Dubi Laksman, a former senior surgeon at Assuta and Maccabi Health Services, has come under fire for posting extreme racist comments targeting Mizrahi Jews, particularly those of Moroccan descent. Earlier this week, a deeply offensive Facebook post on his private page sparked an investigation that uncovered a pattern of racist behavior. Following a complaint by the Israeli news outlet Srugim, Laksman was suspended from both medical organizations.

Despite the suspension, Laksman continued to post inflammatory content. In one of his most provocative posts, he compared Mizrahi right-wing voters to animals, asking rhetorically if it is acceptable to call a rat a rat or a pig a pig, then labeling right-wing Mizrahim as "baboons," claiming it was a fact that most baboons are of Mizrahi origin. He did add a caveat that some Mizrahim are "wonderful and quality individuals."

After his suspension, Laksman posted again, dismissing the consequences and reiterating his derogatory views, stating that Mizrahi right-wingers "stink up the country." In what he described as an apology, Laksman claimed his posts were meant as pre-election trolling and that he misjudged the reaction. However, he doubled down on his views, questioning whether calling voters "baboons" or referring to "Moroccan dominance" was factually wrong.

Laksman's refusal to retract or genuinely apologize for his racist remarks has intensified public outrage. The incident highlights ongoing tensions within Israeli society regarding ethnic divisions and discrimination against Mizrahi Jews.