Introduction: Due to its classification as a medical emergency, the Israeli health system was tasked with spearheading the fight against SARS-COV-2 in Israel. Consequently, politicians were crucial in cultivating public trust, coordinating all facets of the country’s healthcare infrastructure, and managing medical emergencies. In times of disaster, the Israeli healthcare system’s survival relies heavily on delivering medical services by the four HMOs. This study aims to assess the relevance of political tensions to the healthcare system in Israel. Methods: While fighting the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022), thirteen high-ranking individuals within the Israeli healthcare system who were directly involved in managing and leading the country’s response to COVID-19 were interviewed in-depth using a semi-structured approach. The interviews were also subject to peer review panel evaluation. Access to participants was obtained by the researchers, and they were interviewed physically or via Zoom. The questionnaire format was provided in advance. Data analyses were done with ATLS.TI 22. The study identified six themes, including one that focused on the impact of political tensions. The themes were generated by identifying recurring concepts and categories within the participants’ quotes. Results: Numerous instances of the apparent influence of political tensions on the capacity of medical managers and staff were discovered. Among the 13 interviewees, 12 explicitly linked political tensions to a substantial impact, substantiating their perspectives with specific instances. They particularly highlighted the Prime Minister’s decision-making process and collaboration with other ministers and emphasized the treasury’s role in reconciling the politicians’ interests. Conclusion: The study showcases a thorough understanding of how the Israeli healthcare system tackled the pandemic, addressing the impact of political tensions on it. This understanding presents a unique opportunity to gain insights into how service delivery can be enhanced both within the healthcare system and throughout the country. Numerous lessons and examples provided may be relevant for other countries.
Arama et al. (Sun,) studied this question.