Some 200 doctors working in hospitals, health funds, and clinics stayed home on Tuesday as part of a widening protest against salary cuts in the public sector.
This comes amid reports of dozens of teachers and education staff who continued their "sick day" strike on Tuesday over planned budget cuts.
The doctors' protest group, made up of over 1,200 physicians, specialists, interns, and senior doctors, warned that the action could intensify in the coming days.
"We will not give up until the salary cut is canceled. This is a decree we are not willing to accept," the group said in a statement. "The economic burden of the war effort cannot be placed on us as well. We are collapsing under the weight. There are other places to cut from—not on our backs."
The doctors described the protest as likely to expand. “This movement is contagious,” one said, drawing a parallel to the spread of a virus.
As part of the government's approved state budget, public sector employees—including doctors and teachers—are facing salary cuts. According to Mirsham, the organization representing medical residents, doctors will see a 2.48% annual cut in 2025 and a 1.2% cut in 2026, which amounts to hundreds of shekels less per paycheck.
IMA issues statement
However, the Israeli Medical Association (IMA) disputed that claim. In a statement, the IMA said it had reached an agreement with the government to avoid a direct salary cut. Instead, doctors will face a freeze on seniority increases in 2025 (amounting to 1%) and a one-time reduction in the rate for recuperation days.
“The salary increases secured in the interim agreement for all doctors were fully paid in the first installment,” the IMA said.
“Most of the next installment, due in July, will also be paid—only 1% will be postponed by six months in order to contribute to pensions based on the frozen seniority percentage. This appears on payslips as a seniority addition and corresponding deduction.”
The disagreement highlights growing tensions between government bodies and public sector professionals over the impact of the state’s budgetary policies.