Jewish patients are hiding their identity

Jewish medical professionals are reporting widespread antisemitism throughout Australia’s healthcare system, with both staff and patients taking steps to conceal their Jewish identity.

That’s according to the Australian Alliance Against Antisemitism in Healthcare (AAAAHC).

Spokesperson for the group, Associate Professor Jeremy Goldin, says the recent incident involving two Bankstown Hospital nurses in Sydney is symptomatic of a broader problem that has intensified since October 7.

“This is not isolated to two nurses in Bankstown. This is widespread,” Goldin said.

“The fact that a number of pro-Palestine and pro-Muslim groups are supporting the nurses is seriously concerning, not just to the Jewish population, but should be concerning to everybody.”

The AAAAHC reports that Jewish patients are increasingly removing their Star of David necklaces before hospital visits and avoiding identifying their religion on admission forms.

In one case, a patient with an identifiably Jewish last name changed it to her non-Jewish maiden name out of fear her care would be compromised.

The organisation also says Jewish health workers are “forced to hide their identities”.

The warnings come in the wake of Victoria’s Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas last week directing healthcare facilities across the state to remove anti-Israel and pro-Palestine badges and markings.

Ms Thomas declared that political displays in hospitals are “unacceptable” and “will not be tolerated.”

But Opposition health spokesperson Georgie Crozier has warned that enforcing the ban could prove challenging, questioning how the directive will be implemented.

“The minister has directed healthcare facilities to ban these antisemitic symbols and other badges and paraphernalia… but words are one thing and actions are another,” Ms Crozier told The AJN.

While there is currently no evidence of compromised care of Jewish patients, Goldin has expressed concern about the lack of decisive action from healthcare leadership.

“Hospital CEOs and Chief Medical Officers have dropped the ball,” he said.

“In the majority of their emails [to staff], the words ‘antisemitism’ and ‘Jewish’ were left out. There was no support for Jewish staff described.”

The AAAAHC claims hospital leaders appear reluctant to address antisemitism directly, potentially due to fear of backlash.

“They are afraid to use the term antisemitism. They’re afraid to define antisemitism, and they’re afraid to scope out the extent of their problem,” Goldin explained.

Professional relationships between Jewish and pro-Palestinian medical staff have been affected, with reports of staff wearing political symbols that make Jewish colleagues and patients uncomfortable.

The AAAAHC, together with The Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism (5A), is calling for healthcare leaders to demonstrate “courage and clarity in leadership” and ensure workers leave political ideologies at home while focusing on providing equal care to all patients.