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.”

She said one Jewish healthcare professional wearing a Magen David was told by a patient they didn’t wanted to be treated by “a genocider”.

Dr Fink said Jewish health care workers who have attempted to discuss the October 7 atrocities in medical social media groups were called liars and subjected to pile-ons, with many ultimately leaving the groups.

“There were lots of vexatious complaints about Jewish health care workers” to AHPRA, she said, describing the regulatory process as poor and lengthy, causing significant stress and anxiety.

The organisation will provide confidential assistance navigating legal avenues, workplace representation, and education about Zionism.

Dr Fink said the alliance is needed because healthcare workers have been isolated, with existing antisemitism advocacy groups either overlooking the healthcare sector or focusing narrowly on doctors while excluding nurses, midwives, students allied health professionals and patients.

“Everyone’s just been very isolated and dealing with any issues that come up in their workplace in isolation,” she said.

The organisation explicitly welcomes non-Jewish Zionists, including Christians.

“We heard of non-Jewish Zionist doctors who were defending their colleagues and who were bagged in the staff room for defending Israel, even though they’re not Jewish,” Dr Fink said.

The organisation has already had some success, with AZHA public officer Sharon Stoliar, speaking with Senator Andrew Bragg on Thursday morning after which he raised their questions with the CEO of AHPRA, Justin Untersteiner, at Senate Estimates.

He raised concerns from AZHA about a nephrologist at Royal Perth Hospital in Australia, Dr Omar Azzam, who has reportedly been repeatedly harassing both Jewish and non-Jewish Zionist medical professionals via online trolling.

Untersteiner said he couldn’t say anything about individual cases, but offered Senator Bragg a private briefing.

The organisation has received backing from the roof bodies of the Jewish community, with Dr Fink saying they understand that AZHA knows the healthcare system and should be the body managing all issues regarding antisemitism and antizionism in healthcare.

Dr Fink emphasised that the goal is to keep healthcare apolitical.

“We want hospitals and healthcare to be apolitical. We want patients to feel comfortable that they’re getting the appropriate treatment. We want them to have faith and trust in the people who are treating them” she said.

Annual membership costs $30. Further information is available here.