Hadash condemns Katz's call for IDF probe into alleged mistreatment of wounded soldiers

The Arab Hadash party has strongly condemned Defense Minister Israel Katz's directive for an IDF investigation into allegations that Arab hospital employees mistreated four wounded soldiers at Rambam Health Care Campus. The party labeled Katz's call a "dangerous exploitation of the authority of the state and the military establishment for the purpose of political and racist persecution."

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a dangerous exploitation of the authority of the state and the military establishment for the purpose of political and racist persecution. These instructions come in the wake of a racist incitement campaign led by elements on the far right, without any evidence or factual basis, and with the clear goal of intimidating the Arab doctors, nurses, and employees at the hospital, who provide professional and dedicated care to the entire public every day.

Hadash asserted that the instructions followed a "racist incitement campaign" without factual basis, aiming to intimidate Arab doctors, nurses, and employees who provide professional care. The party urged human rights organizations and trade unions to oppose Katz's "dangerous decision." Rambam Health Care Campus had previously stated that an internal investigation rejected all claims of wrongdoing by its staff towards the soldiers.

Defense Minister Katz stated he viewed the testimonies "with the utmost seriousness," emphasizing that wounded IDF soldiers "deserve the most dedicated and best possible care, as well as respectful treatment." He instructed the IDF to "immediately and thoroughly investigate all the allegations" and vowed action if any staff member was found to have acted improperly. "We will not allow anyone to treat IDF soldiers who were wounded defending the country in this manner," he added.

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I view with the utmost seriousness the testimonies that have been published regarding the treatment of wounded IDF soldiers at the hospital. The heroic IDF soldiers who were wounded while defending the State of Israel deserve the most dedicated and best possible care, as well as respectful treatment for themselves and their families. I instructed the IDF to immediately and thoroughly investigate all the allegations raised with the hospital and the relevant authorities. If it is found that any staff member treated the wounded soldiers in an improper or egregious manner, it will not be allowed to pass without action. We will not allow anyone to treat IDF soldiers who were wounded defending the country in this manner. We will demand answers, draw conclusions, and act to ensure that such an incident does not happen again.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also called on the Health Ministry to probe whether the Rambam nurses were motivated by "nationalistic sentiments." He described the alleged testimonies as a "grave scandal" and stated that "anyone who harms our soldiers and their families should know that there will be consequences."

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If the serious testimonies emerging from Rambam Hospital are accurate, this is a grave scandal that should concern every citizen in Israel. It is unthinkable that hospital employees would harass, humiliate, or abuse wounded soldiers and the families of soldiers who risk their lives for the security of Israel's citizens. These testimonies require an immediate, thorough investigation without any whitewashing, including an examination of whether, in some cases, the harassment was nationalistically motivated. Anyone who harms our soldiers and their families should know that there will be consequences.