Israel’s Nurses Association has declared a labor dispute involving approximately 60,000 nurses, a move that could pave the way for widespread strike action affecting hospitals, clinics, maternal and child health centers, nursing schools, and other healthcare facilities across the country.

According to the union, the dispute stems from growing workloads, severe physical and emotional burnout, and what it describes as the government’s failure to improve working conditions or address longstanding staffing shortages. Union leaders say nurses continue to face increasing patient loads without adequate resources, resulting in lower caregiver-to-patient ratios and concerns about the quality of care.

The Nurses Association also cited deteriorating workplace conditions, a shortage of hospital beds and medical infrastructure, limits on hiring new staff, and proposed changes that would replace certain nursing roles in operating rooms with non-medical technical personnel. The union further objected to plans to privatize school health services, arguing the move would undermine nurses’ rights and working conditions.

Shaul Skiff, chairman of the Israel Nurses Association, said the dispute comes as the healthcare system continues caring for thousands of people physically and psychologically affected by the war. He said nurses remain on the front lines despite chronic understaffing and warned that the union is prepared to take all necessary steps to protect both healthcare workers and patient care.

Last month, the association warned Health Minister Chaim Katz that it could move toward a strike, claiming Israel is short roughly 1,200 nursing positions, including more than 1,000 in hospitals and another 200 in school health services and maternal and child health clinics.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)