WATCH: Italian Doctor and Nurse Trash Life-Saving Drugs in Sick Anti-Israel Stunt
A doctor and nurse from Tuscany, Italy, sparked outrage by filming themselves discarding Teva pharmaceuticals, a global company with Israeli roots, amid rising anti-Israel sentiment. Their actions, perceived as a protest, drew sharp criticism online and from officials, prompting an apology claiming the act was a symbolic gesture for peace using free samples.
A doctor and nurse from Pratovecchio Stia, a small town in Tuscany’s Arezzo region, have ignited a firestorm after filming themselves throwing away medicines produced by Teva, a global pharmaceutical company with Israeli origins. The incident, set against a backdrop of increasing anti-Israel sentiment in Italy, has drawn widespread condemnation on social media and from public figures. The two, identified as Dr. Rita Segantini, a family physician, and Giulia Checcacci, a nurse employed through a contracting agency, work at a local community hospital.
The video, recorded during their shift while wearing official uniforms, shows them discarding what they later claimed were free samples, including wet wipes and dietary supplements. Social media erupted with criticism, with one user stating, “This is not an expression of opinion, it is a national shame. They should be fired.” Another wrote, “This is what happens when fanaticism infiltrates morality. Anyone who chooses to discard life-saving drugs should immediately shed their medical uniforms.” A third user added, “I hope you never need one of Israel’s life-saving innovations.”
The pair issued an apology, with Dr. Segantini clarifying, “We apologize to everyone hurt by our video. It was a symbolic gesture for peace. We didn’t actually throw away any medicine.” She emphasized that the items were retrieved from the bin and that the filming occurred after work hours. However, doubts persist about whether the drugs were genuinely discarded or if the act was theatrical, as well as whether the items belonged to the regional health authority.
Deborah Bergamini, deputy chair of the Forza Italia party, condemned the act as driven by “fantasies of ideological activism,” urging, “We expect the health authority and responsible parties to investigate and take severe measures.” The South-East Tuscany health authority has launched an investigation, stating it “reserves the right to take all necessary steps to protect its reputation and that of its dedicated staff.” The authority also noted the video was filmed without its approval.
Teva, while rooted in Israel, operates globally, with manufacturing facilities in Italy and serves millions worldwide with critical medications. The incident reflects a broader wave of anti-Israel incidents in Italy, fueling debates about professional ethics and political expression in public institutions.
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