Rambam Doctor Condemns Racism Amid Controversy Over Care for Wounded Soldiers

Dr. Nitzan Shmueli, a physician at Rambam Hospital, responded strongly to recent accusations against Arab-origin medical staff at the hospital. Following a difficult shift in the general intensive care unit treating four wounded soldiers, Dr. Shmueli described the care as compassionate and professional, emphasizing the mixed Jewish-Arab nursing team’s life-saving work. She condemned the social media posts accusing the staff of neglect and racism as false, hurtful, and divisive.

Dr. Shmueli shared her personal connection to the military medical experience, noting her father is a disabled IDF veteran who was also treated at Rambam. She acknowledged the stress and frustration families face but stressed that these feelings do not justify racism or incitement. She called on the public not to remain indifferent to racism, praising the nursing staff’s dedication and teamwork.

In parallel, Health Ministry Director-General Moshe Bar Siman-Tov visited Rambam Hospital to meet with wounded soldiers’ families and medical teams. He highlighted the hospital’s inclusive workforce representing all sectors of Israeli society and affirmed his full support for the hospital’s management and staff. Bar Siman-Tov noted that complaints had been professionally investigated and dismissed.

Additionally, activists from the "Standing Together" movement demonstrated at Rambam to show solidarity with the medical staff amid the media storm. They distributed flowers and condemned the racist attacks, blaming divisive rhetoric from government officials.

The controversy began after a soldier’s family alleged that during a shift change, only Arab medical staff remained in the ward with four severely wounded soldiers, and families were locked out. The family claimed one soldier was roughly handled and denied water for some time, sparking accusations of neglect and racism that triggered widespread public debate.