Coming under a hail of criticism from treasury officials, the Israel Medical Association, the prime minister cabinet ministers, physicians and residents have backed down and signaled a willingness to resume negotiations towards settling the healthcare system protests and resignations.

A representative told the nation’s High Court of Justice on Sunday morning, November 20, 2011, that it is will to enter into intensive talks for one week, with the court’s supervision and constant involvement.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu used the weekly cabinet meeting to address reporters, stating that an agreement was signed a number of months ago with the Israel Medical Association and as such, he and the administration cannot simply begin negotiations anew. He stated that officials do plan to hear the grievances of senior and junior physicians, but it should be clear than an agreement exists and not all demands can or will be accommodated.

Both sides admit that there is no longer a feeling of trust, each side having tarnished the integrity of the other in the media, and as such, there is little optimism surrounding a one-week session of intensive bargaining, even with the High Court’s intervention.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)