Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Israeli Doctors Reject Netanyahu Allies' Anti-LGBTQ Remarks
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 2 years ago on
December 27, 2022

Share

Israel’s largest medical center and health care workers from hospitals around the country have spoken out against remarks by allies of Benjamin Netanyahu calling for a law to allow discrimination against LGBTQ people in hospitals and businesses.

It was part of a broader blowback against remarks made this week by Religious Zionism politicians calling for legal discrimination against LGBTQ people.

Netanyahu’s new government — the most religious and hard-line in Israel’s history — is made up of ultra-Orthodox parties, an ultranationalist religious faction and his Likud party. It is to be sworn in on Thursday.

Earlier this week, two Netanyahu allies from the ultranationalist Religious Zionism party said that their faction seeks to change an anti-discrimination law in a way that would permit businesses and doctors to deny service to LGBTQ people on the basis of religious belief.

Orit Struck, a Religious Zionist lawmaker, said her party seeks a change to the country’s anti-discrimination law that would include allowing religious health care providers to refuse to treat LGBTQ patients “so long as there are enough other doctors to provide care.”

Sheba Medical Center released a video on Instagram of health care workers from around the country on Monday saying “we treat everyone.” Similar statements were made by doctors and administrators at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa and Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon.

Netanyahu later rebuked Struck for her remarks, saying there would be no curtailing of LGBTQ rights under the new government.

The uproar could be a sign of what lies ahead for Netanyahu and his new government. His partners are seeking widespread changes that could alienate large swaths of the Israeli public, raise the risk of conflict with the Palestinians and put Israel on a collision course with some of its closest supporters, including the United States and the American Jewish community.

Netanyahu has sought to portray himself as the responsible adult in the coalition and already issued a series of statements guaranteeing to protect the rights of LGBTQ people. But his partners hold great leverage because they support new legislation that could ultimately freeze or dismiss criminal charges against Netanyahu.

The long-time leader, who served 12 consecutive years before he was ousted last year, already has agreed to put a hard-line politician known for his anti-Arab views in charge of the national police force and put another hard-line settler leader in charge of West Bank settlement policies.

A third religious lawmaker who opposes LGBTQ rights has been given widespread authority over the national education system, and Netanyahu reportedly also has agreed to increase unpopular subsidies to ultra-Orthodox men who do not work or serve in the army.

Yated Neeman, a newspaper affiliated with one of the ultra-Orthodox parties in Netanyahu’s coalition, published an editorial against the Religious Zionism politicians, saying they were “defaming Judaism worldwide” and branding the future government as “one that persecutes Arabs, minorities and discriminates against people on the basis of religion and more.”

Several Israeli companies said they would not work with businesses that discriminate against clients for religious reasons.

Bank Discount, Israel’s third largest bank, said Monday that its board decided that it “would not grant credit to businesses or bodies that discriminate against clients on the basis of religion, race, sex or sexual orientation.”

Wiz, an Israeli cybersecurity company, expressed “grave concern” over Religious Zionism politicians’ remarks and said it would require companies hiring its services to commit not to discriminate against its clients.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

Mexico’s Sheinbaum Urges US to Avoid Immigration Action at LA Soccer Game

Fresno Shooting Leaves Man Dead Near Griffith and Hughes

11 hours ago

Iran and Israel Say a New Wave of Iranian Missile Attacks Has Begun. Explosions Heard Over Jerusalem

11 hours ago

Vacant Fresno Restaurant Heavily Damaged in Early Morning Fire

An early morning fire caused significant damage to a vacant restaurant building in Fresno, the Fresno Fire Department reported.   ...

9 hours ago

A vacant Fresno restaurant was heavily damaged in a fire early Friday, June 13, 2025, morning, with no injuries reported and the cause under investigation. (Fresno FD)
9 hours ago

Vacant Fresno Restaurant Heavily Damaged in Early Morning Fire

10 hours ago

Visalia Police Make Arrest in Deadly Hit-and-Run

Michael Sanchez, 30, a Madera County inmate, who failed to return from a funeral day-pass was arrested Friday after a police chase and crash involving children. (Madera County SO)
10 hours ago

Madera County Inmate Arrested After Chase and Crash With Kids in Car

11 hours ago

Fresno Shooting Leaves Man Dead Near Griffith and Hughes

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Tomer Neuberg)
11 hours ago

Iran and Israel Say a New Wave of Iranian Missile Attacks Has Begun. Explosions Heard Over Jerusalem

A man in his 80s was found dead in Bass Lake on Friday, June 13, 2025, morning while attempting to launch a boat, authorities said. (Madera County SO)
11 hours ago

Man Found Dead in Bass Lake, Cause Under Investigation

U.S. Marines detain a person outside the Wilshire Federal Building after Marines were deployed to Los Angeles, as protests against federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 13, 2025. (Reuters/Aude Guerrucci)
11 hours ago

US Marines Carry out First Known Detention of Civilian in Los Angeles, Video Shows

11 hours ago

Tensions Boil Between Arias and Dem Congressmembers

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend