Nurses’ Union declares national labour dispute over extreme workloads and burnout.

The Histadrut’s Israeli Union of Nurses has officially declared a labour dispute affecting approximately 60,000 nurses across hospitals, community clinics, infant welfare centres, and nursing schools. This decisive action comes after prolonged negligence by state authorities and employers, leaving our healthcare workers to drown under unsustainable workloads without proper resources or fair conditions.

“Instead of strengthening those on the frontlines of care, the state and employers continue to ignore the growing distress and burnout. We will not hesitate to use all available tools to ensure not only the rights of nurses but also the healthcare system’s capacity to provide the public with professional, safe, and proper care.”

Chairman of the Israeli Nurses Union, Shaul Skif

Severe shortages and professional erosion at the bedside

The decision to declare a labour dispute stems from an ongoing crisis of physical and mental burnout. For years, we have absorbed a continuous surge in patient numbers without a corresponding increase in staff, hospital beds, or infrastructure. This severe imbalance directly threatens the quality of care that patients receive.

Compounding these structural deficits are dangerous steps toward privatisation and the erosion of professional standards. The state’s unilateral intent to privatise student health services threatens both patient welfare and employment security. Furthermore, replacing qualified “scrub nurses” in operating rooms with untrained technical staff compromises medical safety. Instead of actively recruiting new talent, current state-imposed restrictions are turning aspiring professionals away from the field.

Confronting war and neglect in the health services

The current healthcare environment is particularly fragile as we face the immense task of treating and rehabilitating thousands of physically and psychologically wounded individuals. Rather than supporting the workforce during this critical period, employers and the state have ignored the systemic strain.

“Precisely at a time when the healthcare system is dealing with an unprecedented challenge of treating and rehabilitating thousands of wounded in body and soul, nurses continue to carry unbearable burdens on their shoulders.”

Chairman of the Israeli Nurses Union, Shaul Skif

Last month, we released a video showcasing the working conditions nurses had to endure during the last escalation of the war. In times of need and in the day-to-day, our message to employers is clear: the dedication of our nursing workforce cannot be used to subsidise state neglect.

Practices to devalue care work and undermine the universal right to health are unacceptable. A robust public health infrastructure depends entirely on safe staffing ratios and dignified working conditions. We stand firm in our commitment to defend the nursing profession against austerity and neglect. We will continue to champion investments in public services, decent work, and the labour rights of healthcare professionals to guarantee safe, equitable, and quality care for all.