Israel faces healthcare brain drain as 1,369 doctors leave in three years

Summary

A survey by the Israeli Medical Association (IMA) found that at least 50 Israeli physicians left the country in the first 15 months after the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023. The survey covered 32 hospitals and medical centres across Israel and showed a trend of physicians emigrating. The IMA said another 53 physicians went abroad for specialisations and did not return within the agreed timeframe. The IMA published the survey at an emergency meeting on physician emigration, following a Tel Aviv University report that found 1,369 physicians left Israel for more than a year between 2023 and 2025. Israeli health officials warned of serious consequences for the public health system. Ynet, citing the survey, reported that gastroenterology, oncology, internal medicine and psychiatry were particularly affected. The four main reasons for leaving were the security situation, personal reasons, seeking professional promotion and better pay. An Israeli psychiatrist said at the conference that higher salaries alone would not solve the problem.

Timeline

1. Middle East Eye

   20 Oct 2026, 15:53 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that at least 50 Israeli physicians left the country in the first 15 months after 7 October 2023, according to an Israeli Medical Association survey of 32 hospitals and medical centres, and that the IMA warned of a longer-term shortage in public hospitals.

2. Middle East Eye

   20 Oct 2026, 16:33 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye's live blog update reports the same Israeli Medical Association survey finding that at least 50 physicians left Israel and 53 more went abroad for specialisations without returning, following a Tel Aviv University report of 1,369 physicians leaving between 2023 and 2025.