Anti-Semitic internes of the Notre Dame Hospital, who last week precipitated a general sympathy strike of internes in five French hospitals here when they were dismissed for insubordination following appointment of Dr. Sam Rabinovitch to the staff, late last night returned to duty after the Jewish physician’s “sacrifice” resignation had been accepted by the hospital’s board of directors.
The internes made public apologies to the hospital for their act of insubordination, but at the same time stood firmly by their decision not to work with a Jewish doctor.
CONDONED BY DIRECTORS
All the strikers were officially forgiven by the hospital’s directors who, however, made a face-saving gesture by adopting a resolution condemning the strike as desertion.
In his letter of resignation Dr. Rabinovitch stated: “I feel that my decision will meet with the approval of the entire Jewish community because care of the sick has always been of first importance to the Jewish people.”
The strike of the internes, which had spread to include even regular staff physicians and almost brought a walk-out of 200 nurses at the hospital, caused a crisis that doctors feared might result in many fatalities among patients who were suffering from lack of attention.
ARCAND’S HAND SEEN
Adrien Arcand, notorious French-Canadian anti-Semite, was believed to be one of the prime movers in the interne-strike just ended.
When internes of Notre Dame hospital went on strike Rene Laporte, the institution’s superintendent, issued a statement upholding his position regarding Dr. Rabinovitch and strongly condemning the stand taken by the internes. He dismissed the strikers.
The statement follows:
“At the beginning of June, the French-Canadian internet made a request to the medical bureau, in which they expressed their dissatisfaction at the engagement of a Jew in Notre Dame Hospital. They suggested that his services be dispensed with, notwithstanding the contract which the hospital had made with him. This communication went before the council which decided, after considerable deliberation, to respect the contract which it had undertaken with this doctor. The council sent this resolution to the Bureau of Administration, furnishing the explanation as requested in the case. The bureau, after further consideration, unanimously resolved to abide by the contract made by the hospital with this student, insisting that this contract had at no time interfered with the rights of any French-Canadian candidate.
“Following these different resolutions, the student internes still maintained their opposition. In the face of this insubordination, the council delegated one of its members to convey to them what would be the consequences of their attitude, as much from the hospital point of view as from the public standpoint in the circumstances.
“After this interview, the internes still persisted in this attitude towards the hospital authorities.
“On June 15, the date of commencement of their duties, they were asked to take up the positions to which they had been assigned. At midnight all work ceased, and they refused to assist the surgeons in emergency operations that took place that night. They also refused to answer ambulance calls, etc.
“In view of the internes” attitude, which could only be considered as an act of serious insubordination, the hospital authorities requested them to resign.
“The authorities of Notre Dame Hospital will receive with pleasure such applications for interneship as may be addressed to them.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
