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AIBU - problems with antisemitism amongst NHS medical staff?

561 replies

Twiglets1 · 12/10/2026 06:32

The Campaign Against Antisemitism, a prominent UK watchdog group, has identified five healthcare professionals whose public statements it considers antisemitic or anti-Israel.

The five individuals, all current or former National Health Service employees, include midwife Fatimah Mohamied, who allegedly endorsed a post supporting Palestinian “resistance” on Oct. 7, 2023 by responding “Hell yeah!!!” to a post during the Hamas-led onslaught of October 7, 2023, that said: “Palestinians have a right to resist their occupation — we have a right to support them.”

Additionally, physician Dr. Abdelaal Ragheb Elfarra claimed Zionists control the media and the world; psychiatrist Dr. Ahmed Sewehli said regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “you need to be dead”; and emergency physician Dr. Nadeem Crowe described Israel as a “terrorist octopus.” Occupational therapist Zaida Akhtar allegedly shared a video appearing to encourage violence against Netanyahu’s son and a “false flag” claim about the Bondi Beach attack in Australia last year.

The allegations concerning the medical professionals follow a review published in June by John Mann, the British government’s independent adviser on antisemitism, which found “routine ostracism” of Jewish staff and patients within the NHS.

Jewish community representatives have warned that antisemitism in healthcare can affect patients at moments of particular vulnerability.

Karen Newman, a vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, described that concern during parliamentary testimony on May 14. She spoke about Jewish patients hesitating to request kosher meals after seeing a Palestinian badge on a nurse’s uniform.

“That is not a moment when you feel good asking for kosher meals,” she said.

https://www.jns.org/news/world/medical-staff-antisemitism-flagged-in-uk

OP posts:
RVectensian · 12/10/2026 09:32

I agree with the principle, but in what way are the NHS staff being racist towards the British Jews? I see your point that their demonstration of support towards Palestine makes them feel uncomfortable (I'm not a fan of political ideology being demonstrated on uniform anyway), but that isn't the same as the staff member acting in a discriminatory fashion.

Besides, being pro Palestine isn't the same as being anti-Jew surely?

napody · 12/10/2026 09:32

Twiglets1 · 12/10/2026 08:51

A valid point. As I mentioned both in my OP and gave more details of the Mann review in posts 2& 3 on this thread I assumed people would have the attention span to read that too but apparently not 🤷🏼‍♀️

You wanted people to wait and check what qualifications and extra info you'd add over the next dozen posts before voting on your OP?

It's not a bad discussion overall to be honest, but you just couldn't draw anything at all from the voting.

And if Palestinian flag badges have been banned for NHS staff following research, that's a positive action, surely? Also would have been good in your OP which implies the NHS isn't doing anything about it.

KindlySurfiingPlatypus · 12/10/2026 09:32

SchoolOfCool · 12/10/2026 09:20

Agree with this.

The increasing polarisation of this topic fuelled by right wing media does nobod any favours.

Polarisation is what happens with both rightwing and leftwing media pushing opposing viewpoints rather than seeking the unbiased facts. You can't apportion blame for polarisation solely on the "wrong" side without being part of the problem yourself.

Cartoonmouse · 12/10/2026 09:31

Laurmolonlabe · 12/10/2026 09:30

That is daft- disliking what a state does doesn't stop you having respect for the individuals within it,if you have an ounce of intelligence that is.

If you care about violence then you should care about all violence. But some people only focus on violence involving Jews for some reason.

FountainCourted · 12/10/2026 09:31

Sartre · 12/10/2026 09:02

These sorts of threads always go the same way. I’m half Jewish and used to feel proud to tell people this but now feel a little afraid to, especially in the area of academia I teach within (humanities). It shouldn’t be this way but everyone continuously conflates Judaism with Zionism and whilst ever people continue to call anyone who calls out the Israeli government as automatically being antisemitic, this is going to be an issue.

Another issue is how quick everyone has been to damn Israel but other countries who are responsible for even worse atrocities in recent years e.g Sudan are ignored.

Is the British government selling weapons and arms, or parts that can be used for weapons and arms, to Sudan, and those weapons are then used to slaughter innocent people?

Or are they actively trading with Sudan?

Our government is complicit in what’s happening in Gaza. So comparing the support for Gaza to Sudan is a straw man’s argument.

Twiglets1 · 12/10/2026 09:31

SingingShrews · 12/10/2026 09:28

Oh I see that you briefly did. Like I said I haven't read it. I just figured if a judge thought it was important that all future judges know that this organisation are untrustworthy, purposefully misleading and bring abusive prosecutions it's important that people reading this thread have the same background on them.

Yes I mentioned it in my OP and expanded on it on post 3 of this thread. Really I despair of people who only get as far as half way through the first post before blessing us with their opinions.

OP posts:
CurdinHenry · 12/10/2026 09:30

"please may I have some pain relief?"
"THERE'S A GENOCIDE GOING ON DID YOU KNOW" 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠

Laurmolonlabe · 12/10/2026 09:30

Cartoonmouse · 12/10/2026 09:25

If they aren't also concerned about the massive levels of violence happening elsewhere in the world and only concentrate on Gaza then I assume anti semitism I'm afraid. Can't pick and chose your concern.

That is daft- disliking what a state does doesn't stop you having respect for the individuals within it,if you have an ounce of intelligence that is.

CurdinHenry · 12/10/2026 09:29

Cartoonmouse · 12/10/2026 09:28

Exactly. Who cares what they think. People need to keep their political or racist views to themselves rather than vomiting them all over everyone else. The whole thing is absolutely bizarre.

Yes. I'm not Jewish or Muslim but I'd feel freaked out to be treated by someone incapable of behaving professionally.

Twiglets1 · 12/10/2026 09:29

Biscuitsforbreakfastt · 12/10/2026 09:11

100%
Utterly appalling that some people still try to deny a genocide which has been recognised globally. Right up there with holocaust deniers.

It hasn’t been recognised by an international court & the case bought by South Africa won’t reach a verdict probably for several years. Until they do it is legally an alleged genocide.

Though this thread is not about that but about the NHS.

OP posts:
SingingShrews · 12/10/2026 09:28

Twiglets1 · 12/10/2026 09:23

But my OP also mentioned the Mann review?

Oh I see that you briefly did. Like I said I haven't read it. I just figured if a judge thought it was important that all future judges know that this organisation are untrustworthy, purposefully misleading and bring abusive prosecutions it's important that people reading this thread have the same background on them.

Cartoonmouse · 12/10/2026 09:28

CurdinHenry · 12/10/2026 09:27

It all boils down to the problem of people being increasingly unable to get over themselves.

The geopolitical beliefs of a random radiographer are immaterial to the sum of human wisdom and they need to keep them personal and private in order to be competent and trustworthy clinicians.

Exactly. Who cares what they think. People need to keep their political or racist views to themselves rather than vomiting them all over everyone else. The whole thing is absolutely bizarre.

DogsandFlowers · 12/10/2026 09:28

Twiglets1 · 12/10/2026 08:01

Actually I'm going into hospital soon so your comment gave me pause for thought. Should I be ordering a kosher meal in solidarity with Jewish patients?

But then I felt the slight trepidation of - but what if that affects my treatment.

A small insight into the way it could feel for Jewish patients.

No don’t do that…. About 100 steps too far. Virtue signalling???

CurdinHenry · 12/10/2026 09:27

It all boils down to the problem of people being increasingly unable to get over themselves.

The geopolitical beliefs of a random radiographer are immaterial to the sum of human wisdom and they need to keep them personal and private in order to be competent and trustworthy clinicians.

Twiglets1 · 12/10/2026 09:25

lola243 · 12/10/2026 08:55

Anti Israel and Anti Semitism are not the same thing FYI. People are allowed to wear a Palestine badge without being accused of making others feel uncomfortable when a genocide is being committed. Netanyahu is a war criminal. Hope this helps

People are not allowed to wear Palestinian badges in NHS settings anymore.

In their own time they can but not at work if they work for the NHS because they take the findings from the independent review seriously.

OP posts:
Cartoonmouse · 12/10/2026 09:25

Laurmolonlabe · 12/10/2026 09:23

I understand the concern but antisemitic and anti Israel cannot be used interchangeably, you cannot assume someone who is concerned about the violence in Palestine is antisemitic.

If they aren't also concerned about the massive levels of violence happening elsewhere in the world and only concentrate on Gaza then I assume anti semitism I'm afraid. Can't pick and chose your concern.

Newmotor88 · 12/10/2026 09:25

There is no point posting about antisemitism on mumsnet. I can’t even open these threads any more as it’s too painful.

Laurmolonlabe · 12/10/2026 09:23

I understand the concern but antisemitic and anti Israel cannot be used interchangeably, you cannot assume someone who is concerned about the violence in Palestine is antisemitic.

SchoolOfCool · 12/10/2026 09:23

Bikenutz · 12/10/2026 09:05

Political symbols should be banned in the NHS going forward. Policies can and should change based on evidence of concern from a minority population, like a significant drop in demand for kosher meals.

Russian patients in the NHS would be a tiny minority, but I can assure you that Russians in the UK felt less welcome when so many were showing such visible support for Ukraine, regardless of their actual views on the conflict.

Reminders of war can also be triggering for people who had experienced or fled conflict, regardless of nationality or ethnicity.

This is a good point. The Russians I have met in the UK are in no way Putin supporters but have been made to feel very unwelcome on occasion.

Twiglets1 · 12/10/2026 09:23

SingingShrews · 12/10/2026 08:56

I haven't read it. I was commenting on your op which seemed to be based off a group who are known for spreading purposefully misleading information and abusive prosecutions.

But my OP also mentioned the Mann review?

OP posts:
Cartoonmouse · 12/10/2026 09:23

Biscuitsforbreakfastt · 12/10/2026 09:11

100%
Utterly appalling that some people still try to deny a genocide which has been recognised globally. Right up there with holocaust deniers.

Try and focus on the topic in hand which is tbe treatment of Jews by NHS staff.

ViciousCurrentBun · 12/10/2026 09:22

There have been reports of racism before in the NHS about black women receiving poorer maternity care and being more likely to die when giving birth. I remember it being discussed on MN . I’m sure no one decided to then push a different slant on the experience of those women being treated poorly, it was just and rightfully so sympathy.

But here we have people arguing saying claims are exaggerated or just not believing there is anti semitism in the NHS and turning it around to talk about Gaza and whilst what is happening there is awful this report is about anti semitism in the NHS within the UK.

Cartoonmouse · 12/10/2026 09:22

SchoolOfCool · 12/10/2026 09:20

Agree with this.

The increasing polarisation of this topic fuelled by right wing media does nobod any favours.

"Increasing polarisation " then immediately juxtaposed with "fuelled by right wing media" did make me chuckle.

Cartoonmouse · 12/10/2026 09:21

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Why don't you think about the main point in her post. That she doesn't see a future for her in her own country. Rather than focus on whether or not there is a genocide which is yet to be determined by the courts and it doesn't matter a hoot whether you believe it is happening or not.

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