Israeli doctors receive 'attractive' offers to move to UAE, Bahrain amid judicial overhaul protests: report

Doctors who have said they intend to leave Israel over the far-right government's controversial judicial overhaul have reportedly received "attractive" offers to move to Gulf countries including the UAE.

Increasing numbers of Israeli doctors have recently said they intend to leave the country in protest at plans to curb the judiciary's powers.

Israel's Channel 12 broadcaster said the medics have started receiving offers to relocate to the UAE.

Thousands of doctors have joined a WhatsApp group launched around a week ago, straight after the Israeli Knesset, approved the "reasonableness law", which aims to limit the Supreme Court's powers in striking down government decisions that judges deem "unreasonable".

Doctors in the group started receiving offers from Gulf countries with "attractive and appealing" working conditions, Channel 12 reported.

The offers came from institutions including "hospitals and medical organisations in the UAE, Bahrain and other countries in the region".

The doctors are being offered a "wide package of benefits including three times the salary" they make in Israel, free education for their children and a "golden residency" on a similar level to citizenship.

Many Israeli medics have reportedly expressed interest. Other medics are organising to depart for other countries such as the US, Portugal, New Zealand and Canada.

The UAE and Bahrain were among the Arab countries to controversially agree to normalise ties with Israel in 2020. Normalisation is viewed by Palestinians as a betrayal of their national cause.

An exodus of Israeli doctors could put the Israeli health system under further pressure. Israel already has some 10 percent fewer doctors per 1,000 people than the average in OECD countries.

Doctors organised a strike last week following the Knesset's approval of the reasonableness law.

The Israeli Supreme Court announced on Monday that a full panel of 15 justices would hear petitions in September against the law.

Critics fear the government's judicial overhaul plans would undermine Israel's "democracy". There are also concerns the rights of Palestinians would be at further risk.

Agencies contributed to this report.