Australian Zionist Healthcare Alliance launched

Australia’s first dedicated Zionist healthcare advocacy organisation has officially launched to combat what it describes as rising bias, harassment and antisemitism in the nation’s healthcare sector.

The Australian Zionist Healthcare Alliance (AZHA), will support Zionist healthcare professionals, students and patients across all health disciplines, including both Jewish and non-Jewish members.

The organisation has already begun compiling a national register of antisemitic and antizionist incidents in healthcare, including vexatious complaints lodged against Jewish and non-Jewish Zionist healthcare workers with regulatory bodies AHPRA and HCCC.

AZHA President Dr Karen Fink told The AJN that incidents have escalated significantly since October 7 2023, with Jewish healthcare workers facing harassment in workplace chat groups and staff rooms.

Examples included a consultant singing “If I Were a Rich Man” to a junior Jewish doctor, and a Jewish doctor being told “You don’t need to be paid overtime, you’re Jewish, you’re a rich doctor.”