Doctor fired over posts accusing Israel of “genocide” and “cannibalism” files complaint for discrimination
A doctor fired from a leading American children’s hospital following social media posts in which she accused Israel of “genocide” and “cannibalism” has filed a formal complaint for discrimination with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, claiming she was “singled out” for her posts.
Dr Fidaa Wishah was fired after a screenshot was circulated online of a Facebook post in which she allegedly wrote that Palestinians would “expose the massacre and genocide you Zionists are proud of.”
Her post allegedly continued: “A state based on atrocity, inhumanity, racism and cannibalism never lasts long…Hey Israel…your end is coming sooner than you think.”
According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination (e.g. by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour)” is an example of antisemitism.
The American website StopAntisemitism.org tweeted about the alleged posts. In response, Phoenix Children’s Hospital said that those in its care received “the best possible health care regardless of…religion…or national origin.” Subsequently, the hospital issued a statement saying that “after a thorough review of the facts” the doctor was “no longer providing care.”
Liora Rez, Executive Director of StopAntisemitism.org, issued a statement congratulating the hospital for “taking a brave step in fighting antisemitism” and for making sure their patients were “protected from hatred and bigotry.” She added that “when scrolling through Fidaa Wishah’s social media posts her disdain for the Jewish people” became “clear and undeniable.”
Dr Wishah’s complaint – filed with the Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office – alleges that she was subjected to “discrimination, retaliation, disparate treatment and unlawful termination.”
In the complaint, she claims that she was “singled out” over her posts and that “other employees who commented publicly about…human rights abuses” had not been fired.
Her posts, she claims, resulted from her “experiences as a Palestinian woman” but despite her “experiences” and views, she claimed she had “never discriminated against a Jewish person” in her personal or “professional life.”
She was suspended on 22nd June and fired the following day on what she calls “the pretext” that she “lacked professional judgement.” She went on to allege that the hospital acted on “racially and religiously motivated criticism” in firing her.
In a statement, Azza Abuseif, Executive Director of the Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the hospital “jumped at the opportunity to destroy the livelihood of a Palestinian woman.”
Ms Abuseif claimed there was a “willful misrepresentation” of Dr Wishah’s statements and that the hospital’s response was “bigoted.”
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