Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
IceCreamCone543 · 13/10/2026 06:08

AlonsoMosley · 13/10/2026 04:35

This is really offensive.

All this attention on Gaza only stems from an obsession with the only Jewish state.

This for example. People are not obsessed with Israel. They are shocked by the the scale of destruction meted out to the men, women and children in Gaza. This is a good thing. Surely you would prefer a world in which people are stunned and repulsed by that?

There is no genocide happening

You can argue the toss on language or legal meanings of genocide. But - we can all agree that way too many people have died.

I realise that I don’t see a future for myself as a British Jew here in the UK

This is indeed a pity.

Well said

IceCreamCone543 · 13/10/2026 06:13

ilovepuppies2019 · 13/10/2026 05:58

"People go on marches etc for one of two reasons. Either they’re caught up in the whole virtue signalling of it and don’t really understand what antisemitism is, or they’re nasty little antisemites. Either way it’s grim."

No, people go on marches because our governments are giving money, weapons and enormous levels of political support to an extremely powerful country using that power to commit a genocide (or alleged genocide if you'd prefer) and apartheid. Many people are horrified and disgusted at mass killing that our countries are actively supporting. Luckily throughout history our people have a good record of standing up to mass atrocities and not permitting our Governments to stand with leaders who steal the lands of people and then kill them. People horrified by a genocide are not not, and neve have been, antisemitic. There is no definition of antisemitism that supports that.

"Not whining about things going on thousands of miles away"

What an exceptionally grim and offensive way to classify the mass killing of civilians. I share your horror at the way innocent Israelis were killed. It was a tragedy. It's awful that you view the butchering of Palestinians and people concerned at it as 'whining.' It sounds like you have different standards about which lives matter. I hope that's not the case.

Completely agree. It is terrible how some people appear to view other people's lives as being worth less. Absolutely disgusting. Also seemingly deliberately overlooking the actual reasons as to why people attend marches and demonstrations. There is no explaining to individuals who are so fixed in their apparent beliefs. It is an extremely sad time without a doubt.

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:16

What has all the marching & demonstrations actually achieved for the people of Gaza?

OP posts:
Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:23

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:16

What has all the marching & demonstrations actually achieved for the people of Gaza?

It educates, keeps the atrocities in the public eye and stops them from being forgotten, it illustrates strong feeling to our government, it is a sign of free speech and democracy, it gives hope to those suffering in Gaza, it tells those carrying atrocities that the world is watching…

I don’t want any of our taxes going to Israel behaving as they are, I want our government to work harder at trying to stop the atrocities, I want our government to put pressure on Netanyahu and I want the atrocities to stop.

Who are you to say that British citizens can’t or shouldn’t voice the above?

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:27

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:23

It educates, keeps the atrocities in the public eye and stops them from being forgotten, it illustrates strong feeling to our government, it is a sign of free speech and democracy, it gives hope to those suffering in Gaza, it tells those carrying atrocities that the world is watching…

I don’t want any of our taxes going to Israel behaving as they are, I want our government to work harder at trying to stop the atrocities, I want our government to put pressure on Netanyahu and I want the atrocities to stop.

Who are you to say that British citizens can’t or shouldn’t voice the above?

I never said British citizens can't voice the above that is obviously personal choice/free speech.

I just don't think it has achieved anything for people living in Gaza/West Bank.

And it has caused a lot of upset in UK society and helped flame the rise in antisemitism in the UK.

OP posts:
Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:32

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:27

I never said British citizens can't voice the above that is obviously personal choice/free speech.

I just don't think it has achieved anything for people living in Gaza/West Bank.

And it has caused a lot of upset in UK society and helped flame the rise in antisemitism in the UK.

Of course society is upset, what is happening in Gaza is horrific and that’s not the fault of protestors but Israel and Netanyahu.

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:34

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:32

Of course society is upset, what is happening in Gaza is horrific and that’s not the fault of protestors but Israel and Netanyahu.

Edited

You ignore Hamas and that is part of the problem, people often do.

What is happening in Gaza is horrific, and that is the fault of both Hamas and the Israel government.

OP posts:
Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:36

Organised groups of Jewish people join the marches. Do their views not count either?

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:40

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:36

Organised groups of Jewish people join the marches. Do their views not count either?

And other Jewish people have said they find the marches intimidating and they avoid city centres when marches are taking place.

OP posts:
Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:41

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:40

And other Jewish people have said they find the marches intimidating and they avoid city centres when marches are taking place.

Lots of people avoid city centres when marches happen for all sorts of courses.

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:42

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:36

Organised groups of Jewish people join the marches. Do their views not count either?

Are you going to respond to the point about ignoring Hamas when you attribute blame for the horrific state of Gaza?

OP posts:
Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:43

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:42

Are you going to respond to the point about ignoring Hamas when you attribute blame for the horrific state of Gaza?

Israel is the one pummelling Gaza, engaging in genocide and acting illegally.

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:43

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:41

Lots of people avoid city centres when marches happen for all sorts of courses.

For most of us we only have to be concerned about extra traffic etc.

We don't have to fear being identified as Jewish.

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:45

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:43

Israel is the one pummelling Gaza, engaging in genocide and acting illegally.

Noted that you refuse to attribute any responsibility to Hamas for the Gaza war and the horrendous events triggered by Hamas actions on 7/10/23.

OP posts:
Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:45

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:43

For most of us we only have to be concerned about extra traffic etc.

We don't have to fear being identified as Jewish.

People fear being identified as all sorts of things. I don’t think the LGBT, Muslim or trans communities have it easy either.

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:47

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:45

Noted that you refuse to attribute any responsibility to Hamas for the Gaza war and the horrendous events triggered by Hamas actions on 7/10/23.

Note all you like. I am entitled to my views as regards Gaza as is every other citizen in this country. That doesn’t mean abuse or prejudice is ok or to be tolerated towards anybody but we have robust procedures set up to deal with both.

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:48

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:45

People fear being identified as all sorts of things. I don’t think the LGBT, Muslim or trans communities have it easy either.

So it's ok that some Jewish people have said they feel too intimidated to walk through city centres when these marches are going on? Because - in other situations - other minority groups also feel threatened and vulnerable.

Wouldn't you feel any empathy for these other minority groups if they said they felt intimidated by certain situations? I would.

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:52

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:47

Note all you like. I am entitled to my views as regards Gaza as is every other citizen in this country. That doesn’t mean abuse or prejudice is ok or to be tolerated towards anybody but we have robust procedures set up to deal with both.

People who don't acknowledge that Hamas are part of the problem in Gaza are doing no favours to the people living there who have to put up with living under their horrible rule. No elections for 20 years, is that ok do you think?

OP posts:
Millerner · 13/10/2026 06:54

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:23

It educates, keeps the atrocities in the public eye and stops them from being forgotten, it illustrates strong feeling to our government, it is a sign of free speech and democracy, it gives hope to those suffering in Gaza, it tells those carrying atrocities that the world is watching…

I don’t want any of our taxes going to Israel behaving as they are, I want our government to work harder at trying to stop the atrocities, I want our government to put pressure on Netanyahu and I want the atrocities to stop.

Who are you to say that British citizens can’t or shouldn’t voice the above?

Scares Jews. That’s their purpose surely?

KatiePricesKnickers · 13/10/2026 06:55

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:43

Israel is the one pummelling Gaza, engaging in genocide and acting illegally.

It’s not a genocide, that’s only an opinion, and a weak one at that.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 06:59

AlonsoMosley · 13/10/2026 04:46

We, the EU and the US give massive amounts of money and favourable trade deals to Israel, so we can absolutely choose our concern.

We do not give the same favour to say - Somalia.

That is the most outrageous argument Ive heard so far in support of anti semetisim We should direct our concern to violence happening around the world only when one party is an ally. I'm afraid no action the UK takes will make any difference to Israel and it's just used as a smoke screen to excuse anti semitism.

To take a topical example what about Saudi Arabia and the Houthis? I don't see many badges or marches about them and Saudi is an ally? Although they aren't generally Jewish I suppose.

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:00

Millerner · 13/10/2026 06:54

Scares Jews. That’s their purpose surely?

Nope and that is offensive to say that.

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:02

KatiePricesKnickers · 13/10/2026 06:55

It’s not a genocide, that’s only an opinion, and a weak one at that.

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory released reports—including findings in 2025 and mid-2026—concluding that actions by Israeli authorities and security forces in Gaza amount to genocide, citing mass killings, targeted harm to children, and the deliberate imposition of conditions calculated to destroy Palestinian life in the strip.

That is enough for me.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 07:02

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 06:43

Israel is the one pummelling Gaza, engaging in genocide and acting illegally.

The problem is Hamas started the war against a country far stronger than it. It would be like us declaring war on China and then everyone being surprised when China then flattens us.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 07:05

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:02

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory released reports—including findings in 2025 and mid-2026—concluding that actions by Israeli authorities and security forces in Gaza amount to genocide, citing mass killings, targeted harm to children, and the deliberate imposition of conditions calculated to destroy Palestinian life in the strip.

That is enough for me.

No one can pre-empt any findings by a court. The process needs to be done properly and be seen to be done. Evidence collection such as tactical records and witness statements will take a long time. Its pointless saying "thats enough for me " becuase you aren't actually the judge presiding in the court.

Swipe left for the next trending thread