JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Swedish newspaper Expressen has reported on a troubling incident in which a Jewish physician says he was dismissed after a verbal confrontation with a colleague whom he describes as expressing antisemitic, pro-Palestinian views.

The incident occurred during a workday between Dr. Gregory Zvi Varshavsky, 69, and a fellow physician against the backdrop of the war in Israel. The confrontation took place at the private healthcare company Meliva, near Stockholm, and has sparked public debate because of what critics describe as a contrast between the doctor’s treatment and the tolerance shown toward pro-Palestinian demonstrations by medical staff in Sweden. Although the incident took place last year, it was disclosed publicly by Dr. Varshavsky only in recent days.

During a break, Dr. Varshavsky was sitting in the hospital café when a colleague of Middle Eastern origin approached him and asked whether he was Jewish. After he replied that he was, she asked him, “Why are you killing Palestinian children?”

Dr. Varshavsky tried to defuse the situation, responding, “I’m Jewish, but I don’t live in Israel and I have no connection to the military.” According to his account, the physician then shouted at him in front of other staff members, “You can go to hell, you damned Jew.”

Dr. Varshavsky reported the incident to the medical center’s director and filed a formal complaint alleging discrimination and antisemitism. The director reportedly assured him that the matter would be addressed.

Shortly after filing the complaint, the medical center informed Dr. Varshavsky that his employment contract would not be renewed, a decision he interpreted as retaliation for submitting the complaint.

The case has generated criticism in Sweden over what some have described as a double standard within the healthcare system. At the same time that the Jewish doctor was allegedly dismissed, physicians and other medical staff in Sweden held political demonstrations inside hospitals while wearing official work uniforms.

Those demonstrations were held in support of the director of a hospital in Gaza who had been arrested by Israel on suspicion of membership in Hamas, and hospital administrations reportedly allowed the protests to take place.

Meliva stated that it conducted a thorough investigation and found no evidence that Dr. Varshavsky’s Jewish background influenced its decision. The company characterized the incident as “a personal conflict” rather than discrimination.

The company added that neither of the two individuals involved in the confrontation, Dr. Varshavsky nor the physician who allegedly made the antisemitic remark,is currently employed by Meliva.

“We emphasize that discrimination and antisemitism are incompatible with Meliva’s values, and such matters are addressed if an employee acts contrary to our principles,” the company said in a statement. “Beyond that, we cannot comment on individual personnel matters or information relating to private individuals.”