NYC Doctor Fired for Pro-Hamas Social Media Posts

A New York City doctor, Lila Abassi, was fired from her position at Mount Sinai's Upper East Side hospital after posting pro-Hamas and Hezbollah statements online. The hospital confirmed her dismissal following an investigation into her social media activity.

Controversial Statements

Abassi allegedly praised Hamas and Hezbollah as "noble resistance and freedom fighters," while denouncing the Israeli army and dismissing reports of atrocities committed during the October 7, 2023 attacks. She reportedly questioned evidence of sexual violence and minimized the number of casualties inflicted by Israel, even making a comparison of deaths.

Consequences and Backlash

Her actions prompted weeks of pressure from New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, who argued that deleting her social media account wasn't sufficient. A fellow Mount Sinai doctor described Abassi as "one of the more outspoken and egregiously antisemitic physicians in the community." The watchdog group Physicians Against Antisemitism also weighed in, expressing concerns about patient safety and confidence in Mount Sinai hospital.

The impact of this incident highlights the importance of responsible social media usage and professional conduct for medical professionals.