BICOM

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met yesterday with Israel Medical Association Chairman Leonid Eidelman. Eidelman has been on hunger strike for 10 days in an effort to draw attention to what striking doctors have called the deteriorating public health system in Israel, the difficult hours and conditions and low salaries of junior doctors. Eidelman said afterwards that Netanyahu sought to persuade him to end his hunger strike, but that he refused. The High Court is due to hold a hearing next week regarding the hunger strike by doctors. The industrial action, meanwhile, is due to intensify today. A ruling by the National Labour Court prevents doctors from striking. Additional measures being considered are mass resignations or increased hunger strikes by doctors. Sanctions are also expected to include limiting surgery to urgent cases and cancer patients.

In related news, representatives from the 40 tent encampments scattered across Israel released guidelines for negotiating with the government. The demands include lowering indirect taxes, canceling the national housing committees bill, free education starting at the age of three months and increasing the Housing Ministry’s assistance budget to mortgages and rent.