Rambam ICU Head Defends Arabic-Speaking Medical Staff Amid Criticism Over Care for Wounded Soldier

Professor Yaron Bar-Levay, former head of the intensive care unit at Rambam Hospital for 23 years and current director of the cardiac surgery ICU, strongly condemned recent attacks on Arabic-speaking medical teams at Rambam and across Israel's healthcare system. The controversy arose after a severely wounded soldier from Lebanon was hospitalized at Rambam, and a family member posted complaints about some staff speaking Arabic and alleged hostile treatment. Bar-Levay clarified the situation, explaining that in the ICU, 18 critically ill patients are treated simultaneously, with families only allowed visiting during specific hours. He recounted how a family member forcibly entered a room to find his brother alone while staff attended to other patients, and later posted grievances about routine care issues, coinciding with some staff speaking Arabic.

Bar-Levay emphasized that it is entirely appropriate for Arabic-speaking medical personnel to care for patients, noting Arabic is a commonly spoken language in Israel. He highlighted key department heads, including Professor Zaher Azam (internal medicine), Professor Asalia (surgery), and Dr. Hani Bahous (trauma), all of whom provide dedicated care regardless of patient ethnicity. He rejected any notion that Arab staff should not treat Jewish patients, stating, "We are brothers, treating patients together, supporting each other amid ongoing conflicts."

He also pointed out that many Arabs were victims of the October 7 attacks and subsequent rocket fire in northern Israel, sharing the same risks and hardships as Jewish citizens. Bar-Levay criticized the politicization of the incident during a tense election period, condemning politicians who exploited the situation and the Defense Minister's call to review all care for wounded soldiers based on a complaint about a glass of water and pain during repositioning. He stressed that such isolated complaints should not cast doubt on the overall quality of medical treatment provided to IDF casualties.

The incident reflects broader societal tensions but underscores the integrated nature of Israeli medical teams and the importance of mutual respect and cooperation across ethnic lines in healthcare.