Quebec Jewish physicians sounding alarm on rising anti-Semitism in healthcare after Oct. 7, 2023

The Association of Jewish Physicians of Quebec is sounding the alarm on rising anti-Semitism in healthcare, after conducting a survey with about half its 550 members, which found 45 per cent of doctors surveyed having experienced anti-Semitic incidents in the hospital environment since Oct. 7, 2023, following the Hamas attack on Israel. 

“It was really to ask a question: Can you compare anti-Semitism before Oct. 7 and in the year to follow? What we saw is that people reported significantly more anti-Semitic incidents or remarks in the workplace after Oct. 7,” said Dr. Lior Bibas, cardiologist and president of the Association of Jewish Physicians of Quebec (AMJQ).

“In my opinion, what we’re seeing in healthcare is a reflection of what’s happening in society.”

According to the survey, 30 per cent of respondents said they experienced anti-Semitic remarks every week.

“We’ve had, for example, a trainee that was kicked out of her study group by her peers. We’ve had other trainees that were asked in front of a room full of people to kind of justify certain actions of the Israeli government. We’ve had episodes of even some patients making anti-Semitic remarks. I would say those are rare,” said Dr. Bibas.

“We’ve had many colleagues posting vile anti-Semitic remarks on social media.”

While Dr. Bibas says recently things have been quieter and the months that followed Oct. 7 seemed to be more tense, Jewish physicians still feel hostility.

“About a quarter of our members answered yes to the question: Are you considering leaving Quebec?” he said. “And I think that’s important because, first of all, we have a physician shortage to begin with. And I don’t want it to be interpreted that my members are afraid. We’re not afraid. We’re not victims here. But we are concerned and we want to stay here.”

Quebec’s Health Ministry says in a statement to CityNews: “[…] All Quebecers have the right to obtain health care free of discrimination. Staff must also be able to perform their duties in an environment that does not tolerate any form of harassment and discrimination, whether from a user of the network, a colleague, or anyone involved in the workplace. All situations of racism or discrimination must be reported.”

According to data from the SPVM, since Oct. 2023, Montreal’s Jewish community reported 252 hate crimes and incidents – almost triple the amount compared to the Arab-Muslim community, which reported 86 hate crimes and incidents. 

“I can’t speak on the behalf of the Canadian Muslim community, but I do know that the statistics do show that Jews have been disproportionately affected by the rise in anti-Semitism,” said Dr. Bibas. “We’re about one per cent of the Canadian population and we were overrepresented in terms of hate crimes and hate incidents.”

CityNews did not hear back from the Muslim Medical Association of Canada in an attempt to get their perspective in healthcare, but the Canadian Muslim Forum says it’s important not to compare when it comes to hate.

“There is no doubt that we are witnessing a skyrocketing increase of hate and discrimination and bigotry,” said Samer Majzoub, the president of the Canadian Muslim Forum.

“Unfortunately, it is being generalized against many communities. If it is targeting the Jewish [community] it is totally unacceptable, totally. We condemn anti-Semitism exactly as we condemn Islamophobia, we condemn racial profiling.”

Dr. Bibas adds, “I think we need to educate the public about the reality of what’s going on. We need to really take a strong stand. Healthcare is a sanctuary. There should be absolutely no politics in healthcare whatsoever.”