MK Limor Son Har-Melech (Otzma Yehudit) said on Monday that she would, in her new role as Knesset Health Committee chair, advance a discussion for Israel to withdraw from the World Health Organization, receiving backlash from leaders in Israel's medical organizations.
Notably, a proposal for Israel to withdraw from the WHO was previously discussed, but with Son Har-Melech as committee chair, it may now carry significant weight.
Professor Hagai Levine, the chair of the Association of Public Health Physicians, spoke with Walla, calling it a "reckless proposal."
"There is no problem criticizing WHO. We also have criticism regarding its approach to Israel, particularly the hostage crisis and other things WHO does not do well enough. We care about public health in Israel, but it must be understood: WHO represents all countries of the world," Levine said.
"Decisions are made by a vote; one can agree or disagree. We have a respectable Israeli representative on WHO's' executive board. They are simply spreading fake news as if WHO interferes in decisions. That is not true. At the same time, one must be vigilant. Son Har-Melech cares about freedom? She mixes conspiratorial arguments and unrelated nonsense," he accused.
"We are already losing our ability to influence, our ability to organize around Israel's interests, and this is in a reality that is already difficult to maintain Israel's status, because of the growing isolation in the world... The majority of the public in Israel, and the overwhelming majority of health professionals in Israel, see [isolation] as severe harm to health in Israel, to disconnect ourselves from the world." Levine added.
"We have medical and academic collaborations, and we work in an international world - this is the basic principle of health - to work in cooperation," he affirmed.
"[Isolation would] lead us to a pariah state - in health, this does not work that way. A small country like Israel cannot do everything by itself. We do not have the laboratories, the treatments for all diseases, we are with the world," he explained.
"This is an experiment that I fear will end with very bad results. We cannot afford it. Son Har-Melech's position is very extreme and does not represent the Israeli majority," he continued.
"It is already difficult to create cooperation, and we encounter phenomena of boycotts of Israeli academic conferences, but this approach gives tailwind to the boycott of Israel - it provides them with arguments why they should boycott. The damage has already been done; however, they have no mandate. They were not elected to do these things - to disconnect Israel from the world," he concluded.
A coalition of health organizations and unions sent a letter to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and coalition chair Ofir Katz, warning of Son Har-Melech's proposal.
Her activity "in the fields of health, science, and gender is well documented," the letter read.
"She initiated a discussion on Israel's withdrawal from WHO at a time when international cooperation is a necessary condition for dealing with pandemics, contrary to the position of professionals. She establishes a caucus whose practical meaning is undermining women's rights over their bodies, and she acts consistently against abortions and against the use of contraception - positions that are not only ideological, but have severe medical implications for women's health, morbidity, mortality, and social inequality," it added.
Prof. Zion Hagay, chair of the Israeli Medical Association, also responded to Son Har-Melech's remarks.
"We expect and trust that she will act in a statesmanlike manner, as is appropriate for the very important role to which she was appointed. I have no doubt that when she seeks to learn the issues and delve into them, she will discover a different and more complex picture than the one presented by those seeking to advance one agenda or another," he said.
"Even if someone has criticism of the World Health Organization, which is legitimate, it is clear to all that the Israeli health system cannot exist without international relations and without the professional framework accepted in the Western world," he added.
Importance of Israeli membership in World Health Organization
According to a detailed document from The Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians, withdrawing from WHO could cause significant harm to national security, the health of Israel's residents, and the country's ability to cooperate with global health bodies.
WHO provides early warnings about pandemics and global outbreaks, including Ebola, polio, seasonal flu, coronavirus, and others. WHO membership gives Israel immediate access to critical medical data, research updates, and protocols for dealing with infectious diseases, including vaccine development and sharing of biological material, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and more.
Additionally, via WHO, Israel has access to reference laboratories, professional excellence, and decision-making support for eradicating diseases such as polio, measles, and rubella.
Unlike the US, which withdrew from WHO in January at the start of the current Trump administration, Israel is not a superpower and is an active member of the global health network. Further, Israel is a partner in WHO's global network responsible for determining required vaccinations for visitors to different countries and for rapid and high-quality treatment of patients.
Moreover, in cases of natural disasters, technological incidents, cyber, wars, or medical emergencies, WHO assists in coordinating humanitarian aid, such as the delivery of medicines, medical equipment, and the establishment of field hospitals, laboratories, and mobile clinics, as well as technological tools and more.
According to the Association of Public Health Physicians, WHO membership enables Israel to maintain an international presence, strengthen ties with various countries, and present its scientific and medical achievements. Israel contributes and markets medical technologies, research, and innovation to developing countries within the framework of cooperation with WHO, which establishes its image as a global leader in the health field.