Beinish questions authenticity of doctors' strike

Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish on Tuesday expressed doubts over the goals of the doctors' strike.

During a High Court hearing on a petition concerning the doctors' strike, Beinish told the Medical Association representative, "the impression I'm getting is that you're not really interested in negotiations. One gets a feeling that in your case the strike is the actual purpose."

• Receive Ynetnews updates directly to your desktop
  

Beinish said it appears that the protestors are working more towards influencing public opinion.

Eidelman in Knesset's health lobby (Photo: Noam Moskowitz)

Attorney Orna Lin said in response, "The doctors are demanding intense negotiations. The strike is going on too long because we are taking proportionate measures. If all of the doctors resign, an agreement will be struck within less than a week."

Earlier on Tuesday, Medical Association President Dr. Leonid Eidelman attended a meeting regarding the strike at the Knesset's health lobby. He was greeted with thunderous applause and pledged to continue his hunger strike until an agreement is struck "or until I collapse." The MKs pleaded with Eidelman to stop his hunger strike but he remained resolute.

Eidelman in court (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

"I chose the alternative of risking one person's health and I am determined to go on. Every day that passes, the state of Israel's health system continues to deteriorate.

"The system can find itself not being able to care for people, who will pay the price. People will die and I will not be part of that. I will not stop my hunger strike – either I will collapse or we strike an agreement."

Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with Eidelman. MK Shaul Mofaz expressed support of the doctors' campaign and told Eidelman: "To me you symbolize Israel's fighters in the health system's hardest hour."

Moran Azulay contributed to this report

• Follow Ynetnews on Facebook