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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

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KatiePricesKnickers · 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.

So that’s just the UN’s opinion.
The UN who are infiltrated by antisemitism and extremists.

That is not enough for anyone with half a brain and eyes in their head.

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 07:05

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:00

Nope and that is offensive to say that.

It's offensive to say that yet you show no sympathy when it is pointed out that Jewish people in the UK have said they feel intimidated by marches in city centres?

All you seem to want to do is use whataboutery to minimise their fears by saying - well other minority groups feel intimidated too in certain situations.

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Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:06

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 07:02

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.

Israel has flattened it and then some. It does not need to be doing what it’s doing do Palestinian families and children or illegally grabbing land.

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 07:10

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.

Yet the UN as an organisation do not call what is happening in Gaza a genocide.

Why? Because they are waiting for the ruling of the international court case to determine whether it can legally be determined a genocide or not.

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Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 07:12

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:06

Israel has flattened it and then some. It does not need to be doing what it’s doing do Palestinian families and children or illegally grabbing land.

If your argument was confined to saying the Israel response has been disproportionate, I would agree with you.

Unfortunately you seem to be just restricting blame to Israel, and ignoring the Hamas role in the tragedy.

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Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 07:13

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:06

Israel has flattened it and then some. It does not need to be doing what it’s doing do Palestinian families and children or illegally grabbing land.

Thats war though. And if a court finds no genocide then unfortunately for Hamas they picked the wrong country to attack. Germany tried to flatten London and nearly succeeded. We just happened to be better at fighting back.

Remember international law is really an illusion. It needs a country to agree to follow the rules and if its doesnt theres not much anyone can do if we don't want war ourselves. Unfortunately the reality is its survival of the strongest, made worse by Trump

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:17

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 07:13

Thats war though. And if a court finds no genocide then unfortunately for Hamas they picked the wrong country to attack. Germany tried to flatten London and nearly succeeded. We just happened to be better at fighting back.

Remember international law is really an illusion. It needs a country to agree to follow the rules and if its doesnt theres not much anyone can do if we don't want war ourselves. Unfortunately the reality is its survival of the strongest, made worse by Trump

If a country is not following rules as citizens we can protest and invoke sanctions. British citizens can and should do that. Israel is only the strongest because the USA is bankrolling the atrocities whilst ignoring Ukraine.

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:18

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 07:12

If your argument was confined to saying the Israel response has been disproportionate, I would agree with you.

Unfortunately you seem to be just restricting blame to Israel, and ignoring the Hamas role in the tragedy.

And you’re ignoring genocide so….

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 07:20

@Oak13af From the BBC (September 2025)

The UN says it cannot make a legal determination as to whether a situation constitutes genocide under international law. It says a situation is referred to as genocide only after a competent national or international court has declared it as such.

When asked by journalists on Tuesday if he would consider using the word genocide to describe Israel's actions in Gaza, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said: "It's for the court to decide whether it's genocide or not, and we see the evidence mounting."

A spokesman for the UK government also said the decision was up to a court, but added that this "does not take away from our position that Israel's actions are appalling".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8641wv0n4go

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Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 07:24

And from Arab News (September 2025)

The UN secretary-general condemned on Tuesday the “systematic destruction” of Gaza City, but insisted it was for the international courts to determine whether Israel is committing genocide.

Taking questions at UN headquarters, Antonio Guterres said it was not his role to make a legal determination of genocide after a team of experts commissioned by the UN’s Human Rights Council concluded that Israel is doing just that in Gaza.

UN agencies, global bodies and governments face mounting pressure to say that Israel’s conduct in the Palestinian territory since is began military operations in October 2023 amounts to genocide.

Asked whether he believes Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, Guterres said: “As I’ve said, time and time again, in these and different, similar circumstances, it is not in the attributions that the secretary-general to do the legal determination of genocide.

“That belongs to the adequate judicial entities, namely the International Court of Justice.”

www.arabnews.com/world/un-chief-guterres-calls-gaza-situation-morally-politically-legally-intolerable-2615576

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Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 07:25

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:17

If a country is not following rules as citizens we can protest and invoke sanctions. British citizens can and should do that. Israel is only the strongest because the USA is bankrolling the atrocities whilst ignoring Ukraine.

Israel won't care about sanctions.

And the US is hardly going to be influenced by little old us. And perhaps the US agrees with what Israel is doing? Its not stopping it after all. So unfortunately because we aren't a strong power any more with a strong military then we don't have any influence in a world run by strong men. However moral the case. Thats the way of it...as Andy Burnham said benefits come before defence and that means we have given up our ability to influence world events for the better.

KatiePricesKnickers · 13/10/2026 07:27

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:17

If a country is not following rules as citizens we can protest and invoke sanctions. British citizens can and should do that. Israel is only the strongest because the USA is bankrolling the atrocities whilst ignoring Ukraine.

Most people don’t care about Gaza and the Palestinians because they know this is a war they started, and just a continuation of the Middle East ‘forever war’.

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:29

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 07:25

Israel won't care about sanctions.

And the US is hardly going to be influenced by little old us. And perhaps the US agrees with what Israel is doing? Its not stopping it after all. So unfortunately because we aren't a strong power any more with a strong military then we don't have any influence in a world run by strong men. However moral the case. Thats the way of it...as Andy Burnham said benefits come before defence and that means we have given up our ability to influence world events for the better.

The USA is run by a lunatic, many many Americans don’t agree with what is happening in Gaza and protests , rallies, demonstrations, campaigns, and vigils, relating to the war have occurred nationwide across the United States. US citizens are fed up with bankrolling Israel, as they should be. Things will be very different for Israeli when Trump has gone.

Israel does seem to very much care about sanctions going by their reaction. Hopefully sanctions will spread.

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:33

KatiePricesKnickers · 13/10/2026 07:27

Most people don’t care about Gaza and the Palestinians because they know this is a war they started, and just a continuation of the Middle East ‘forever war’.

Ok but many do and have the right to protest.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 07:34

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:29

The USA is run by a lunatic, many many Americans don’t agree with what is happening in Gaza and protests , rallies, demonstrations, campaigns, and vigils, relating to the war have occurred nationwide across the United States. US citizens are fed up with bankrolling Israel, as they should be. Things will be very different for Israeli when Trump has gone.

Israel does seem to very much care about sanctions going by their reaction. Hopefully sanctions will spread.

Edited

Ultimately Israel will do what it considers it needs to for the safety of its country. Which I don't criticise them for. Hamas started the war and presumably assumed they could get away with October 7th because surrounding Arab states wouldnt let Israel properly fight back and would come to Gaza's defence and unfortunately for them that is a gamble they lost. We shouldn't be interfering in the region.

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 07:34

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:29

The USA is run by a lunatic, many many Americans don’t agree with what is happening in Gaza and protests , rallies, demonstrations, campaigns, and vigils, relating to the war have occurred nationwide across the United States. US citizens are fed up with bankrolling Israel, as they should be. Things will be very different for Israeli when Trump has gone.

Israel does seem to very much care about sanctions going by their reaction. Hopefully sanctions will spread.

Edited

What makes you think the US won’t continue to support Israel after Trump leaves office? The two countries have had a close alliance for decades so it’s not Trump dependant.

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Stillheere · 13/10/2026 07:40

To say that Hamas started the war, though, is to ignore the fact that the attack came after decades of conflict, in which Israel overwhelmingly has had the upper hand.

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:40

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 07:34

What makes you think the US won’t continue to support Israel after Trump leaves office? The two countries have had a close alliance for decades so it’s not Trump dependant.

There’s opposition to the war and bankrolling it on both sides. Future leaders will be driven by the electorate as opposed to lunacy and self interest .

The idea that Trump cares about Israel is hysterical.

ilovepuppies2019 · 13/10/2026 07:43

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 06:16

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

It's hard to know because we don't have the alternative scenario where no marches have happened. Some governments have condemned Israel's behaviour which is something. I think it's drawn enough attention that it's slightly harder for Netanyahu to establish large settler villages in both Westbank and Gaza in violation of the law. I suspect that the biggest impact is repeatedly keeping the issue in the public view so that politicians are forced to make policies accordingly and a younger generation will understand the actions of the Israeli government. The current support provided by older generations will fade and politicians will respond in time. Hopefully Israel will be treated appropriately with sanctions, the end of weapon provisions, the expectations that illegal settlements are disbanded and so on. Unfortunately our Governments wish to remain allied with Israel regardless of their atrocities. If the political cost is too high, then we may see some changes.

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 07:52

Stillheere · 13/10/2026 07:40

To say that Hamas started the war, though, is to ignore the fact that the attack came after decades of conflict, in which Israel overwhelmingly has had the upper hand.

Not ignoring the fact there have been years of conflict.

But the Hamas massacres/kidnappings on 7/10/23 was undoubtedly what triggered the current war .

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Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 07:55

Oak13af · 13/10/2026 07:40

There’s opposition to the war and bankrolling it on both sides. Future leaders will be driven by the electorate as opposed to lunacy and self interest .

The idea that Trump cares about Israel is hysterical.

Who says Trump cares about Israel. Trump cares about Trump.

Future leaders will likely consider Israel a political ally, as past leaders have done since the 1960s.

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Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 08:01

Stillheere · 13/10/2026 07:40

To say that Hamas started the war, though, is to ignore the fact that the attack came after decades of conflict, in which Israel overwhelmingly has had the upper hand.

They invaded Israel on October 7th. Israel fought back. Which has led to this current war. They weren't at war on October 6th.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 08:02

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 07:55

Who says Trump cares about Israel. Trump cares about Trump.

Future leaders will likely consider Israel a political ally, as past leaders have done since the 1960s.

Israel is a pretty useful ally. No sane country (apart from the UK) would give that up for Gaza.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 08:04

ilovepuppies2019 · 13/10/2026 07:43

It's hard to know because we don't have the alternative scenario where no marches have happened. Some governments have condemned Israel's behaviour which is something. I think it's drawn enough attention that it's slightly harder for Netanyahu to establish large settler villages in both Westbank and Gaza in violation of the law. I suspect that the biggest impact is repeatedly keeping the issue in the public view so that politicians are forced to make policies accordingly and a younger generation will understand the actions of the Israeli government. The current support provided by older generations will fade and politicians will respond in time. Hopefully Israel will be treated appropriately with sanctions, the end of weapon provisions, the expectations that illegal settlements are disbanded and so on. Unfortunately our Governments wish to remain allied with Israel regardless of their atrocities. If the political cost is too high, then we may see some changes.

Yes because the UK is such a strong military power that it can easily give up an ally like Israel. One that warns the UK when it is about to be attacked. One that is actually strong enough to help rather than need our help.

Unfortunately we are weak now. We don't have the luxury of being able to chose.

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 08:04

ilovepuppies2019 · 13/10/2026 07:43

It's hard to know because we don't have the alternative scenario where no marches have happened. Some governments have condemned Israel's behaviour which is something. I think it's drawn enough attention that it's slightly harder for Netanyahu to establish large settler villages in both Westbank and Gaza in violation of the law. I suspect that the biggest impact is repeatedly keeping the issue in the public view so that politicians are forced to make policies accordingly and a younger generation will understand the actions of the Israeli government. The current support provided by older generations will fade and politicians will respond in time. Hopefully Israel will be treated appropriately with sanctions, the end of weapon provisions, the expectations that illegal settlements are disbanded and so on. Unfortunately our Governments wish to remain allied with Israel regardless of their atrocities. If the political cost is too high, then we may see some changes.

What do Israel care about the UK government’s condemnation? They don’t appear to have changed their actions at all as a result of the marches in UK cities that have been detrimental to our own social cohesion.

Sanctions on the Settlers is the only definable thing that actually harms Israel to an extent. But even then, it won’t have a big impact. Hence the Israel government is still progressing with the expansion of the settlements. Which I don’t agree with btw, but neither do I think we in the UK can influence government policy in Israel.

Personally I’m hoping for a change of Israeli leadership at the upcoming elections and for a more moderate leadership to be elected. That’s what will potentially make a big difference not people marching in London, Manchester etc.

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