Medical Center Hosts Solidarity Rally After Racist Online Attack on Arab Physician
A solidarity rally was held at Shamir Medical Center following a racist online campaign against an Arab physician. Medical leaders and staff condemned the toxic discourse, affirming a zero-tolerance policy for threats and discrimination.
A viral video targeting an Arab physician at Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh) sparked a wave of racist online abuse, leading hospital management and medical leaders to stage a solidarity rally on Monday. Dr. Walid Salah, an internal medicine physician, was filmed over the weekend as relatives of an hospitalized patient accused him of negligence and threatened him. The footage circulated widely on social media, drawing vitriolic comments questioning his background and loyalty.
Despite the hostility, Dr. Salah revealed during Monday's rally that he continued to treat the patient regardless of the incident. Hospital management filed a police complaint against the person who filmed and published the offensive material, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy toward racism, threats, and bullying. The rally, held in the emergency department courtyard under the banner "We are all together, you are not alone," was attended by hospital director Prof. Osnat Levtzion-Korach, Israel Medical Association Chairman Prof. Zion Hagay, and multi-ethnic medical staff.
Prof. Hagay condemned the toxic online discourse, attributing it to populist rhetoric by public figures seeking political gain at the expense of dedicated medical professionals. Other healthcare workers voiced similar concerns. Dr. Salaha Abu Sbeiha (Freij), an emergency medicine specialist at Shamir, shared her own experiences of enduring racist abuse from patients since October 7, noting that she had actively treated wounded soldiers while facing accusations of disloyalty. Hospital leaders and colleagues reaffirmed their commitment to diversity, mutual respect, and uncompromising protection of all medical personnel.
