The Israeli Medical Association announced a two-day general strike (June 16^th-17^th) to protest the violent assault of a doctor that occurred in Be’er Ya’acov, central Israel.  In this latest incident, a man in his thirties arrived at the community clinic seeking medical treatment, later attacking a female doctor, hitting her in the head with an iron crowbar when he was asked to leave the clinic.  The doctor suffered mild head trauma and was treated by Sheba Medical Center. The suspect was later arrested and held in custody.

This latest event follows two other incidents earlier in the year in Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center and Galilee Medical Center, that precipitated the 24-hour strike that was held on Thursday May 19^th.

During the 2-day strike, hospitals and community clinics operated a weekend schedule, offering reduced services.