Young Canadian, British and American Jewish physicians are the target of a new, $60,000 USD "absorption package" provided by the Israeli government, intended to attract physicians "in the Diaspora" to immigrate to Israel.
Haaretz reports today:Physicians under 40 who have completed their medical studies in either North America or Britain will receive $25,000 upon arrival in Israel. Over the next few years, they will be paid between $1,000 and $1,500 a month.
The effort was prompted by dire predictions of an Israeli doctor shortage. Compared to Canada, however, Israel's situation is hardly dire at all. Israel currently enjoys a ratio of 3.4 doctors per 1,000 people, compared to just 1.9 per 1,000 in Canada.
Applicants are promised shortened procedures to receive their medical and driver's licenses. In return, they must commit to work in Israel for at least nine months a year. Over the coming months, Nefesh B'Nefesh plans to launch a campaign among Jewish doctors in the Diaspora to promote the program.
The news story has generated some controversy among readers of Haaretz. (You can read their comments below the article.) Here are some of the most interesting responses:
"if you pay peanuts you get monkeys" - Specialist Doctor, from Netanya, IsraelCheck out our website: www.nationalreviewofmedicine.com
"Let me get this straight - the Israeli absorbtion and health ministries are trying to lure doctors to Israel - but only from the US, UK, and Canada? Whats so wrong with Jews from other areas - Russia, Poland, Germany, Greece, Algeria, Iran, Ethiopia?" - Steve Katz, Miami, USA
"While this plan may have good intentions will not result in a massive influx of Jewish doctors to the Holy Land. We all know that 60k is pocket change for most US doctors. This might recruit young doctors but they will still have a hell of a time paying back a 150k student loan even with this package. Not all but many doctors have lots of money, or assets like expensive houses that they can cash in on before they make Aliyah [immigration to Israel]. Why should they get a handout?" - Aaron, Florida, USA
"If Israel anticipates a future shortage of physicians it might as well offer incentives (however insignificant) across the board. In trying to lure physicians specifically from English speaking countries, Israel admits that the professional level of physicians who came from other countries (mostly the former Soviet Union and its satelites) is inferior. Israel should have invested in re-educating these physicians and bringing them up to the desired standard. Israel admits to have 2 classes of physicians- Western and non-Western. This is the perpetuation of the conditions which had prevailed in Palestine and the early years of the state- doctors who graduated from German or German speaking universities and those who were educated elsewhere. Never ends." - Michael N
"I am a GP in Canada..but the problem is that I am not Jewish!!! Can I still come? Or is it reserved for the one and only chosen ones?" - C'est moi, Canada
3 comments:
A friend of mine just told me that the United States is also offering for Israeli residents to become US citizens. They are offering a large amount of money. He told me that his relative came to the US just to join this program and become a US citizen. The money his relative will be receiving from the US Government made it worthwhile for the long trip. I guess they all want to attract professionals.
When I offered my knowledge and experiance of combat engineer to Ariel Sharon 15 years ago - I was told, that Israel does not need it. So, I went to live and work in America. Here I help to build all that Israel does not need: houses, synagogues, roadways, airports, water supply systems and more.... I also helped to collect money for Israel. But some people were not so smart. Doctor Izabella Belfer, for example, an eye surgeon, and academic professor from Moscow came to Israel and was treated worse than by antisemitic Russian government. Dr. Natasha Erdman nanotech professor will be arrested, if she will ever come to Isreal. Now I am telling to every jewish doctor in USA, many of whom are my personal friends - do not go to Isreal and tell other doctors not to come too. They are racists in Israel! Those native asian mules think, that God made them chosen people, and therefore they are better than anybody else! Exactly like Nazis in Hitler Germany!!!
Thanks for the information, we will add this story to our blog, as we have an audience that loves reading like this.
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