We fear listing 'Jewish' on hospital forms after October 7, Australian Jews tell 'Post' - exclusive

Three Australian Jews have voiced concerns about listing their religion as 'Jewish' on hospital forms, fearing it could affect their treatment. Dr. Dvir Abramovich, chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, advised these patients, who subsequently shared their experiences exclusively with The Jerusalem Post.

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I’m too frightened to write the word ‘Jewish’ on a hospital form.

One patient recounted feeling too vulnerable to write 'Jewish' or 'Israel' on her hospital form for a January procedure, opting instead to state she was born in Australia. She explained that when under general anesthetic, patients are completely vulnerable. This fear intensified after October 7, leading her to conceal her identity in certain circumstances, such as in an Uber or on hospital forms, a stark contrast to her pre-October 7 comfort in openly identifying as Jewish or Israeli.

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I had a procedure in January, and I put on my form that I was born in Australia because I didn’t feel comfortable to write Israel. I also did not state I was Jewish. When you are under general anesthetic, you are completely vulnerable. Several of my friends have done the same.

Another patient decided about a year ago to ask the front desk to delete 'Jewish' from her file, believing it "is not worth it if it affects the treatment I'm getting." While this fear began slightly before October 7, it "significantly" increased afterward. This individual noted the unsettling uncertainty: "So if they were less than friendly, or a needle hurt more than usual, it's difficult to know for sure. That's the scary part. There are easy and subtle ways to make a vulnerable patient feel very uncomfortable."

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I regularly go to hospital for treatment, and about a year ago I realized it’s not worth it if it affects the treatment I’m getting, so I asked the front desk to delete it [her Jewish identity].

A third patient preparing for a day procedure expressed hesitation about writing 'Jewish' on hospital administration papers due to the current climate, a fear that emerged only after October 7. Despite this, she ultimately decided to write it down, stating, "I felt I am not going to hide my identity from those sh**he***." Dr. Abramovich commented that Jews now feel unsafe revealing their identity in medical settings.

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So if they were less than friendly, or a needle hurt more than usual, it’s difficult to know for sure. That’s the scary part. There are easy and subtle ways to make a vulnerable patient feel very uncomfortable.