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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:
Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 17:51

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 17:46

Such as a religious symbol like the star of David? Can NHS workers wear crosses or a veil?

Anyway I thought the Gazan supporters argument was that they didnt have a problem with Jews?

Edited

Except PP distinctly asked you about Israeli pins or badges or symbols, not religious Jewish items.

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 17:51

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 17:46

Such as a religious symbol like the star of David? Can NHS workers wear crosses or a veil?

Anyway I thought the Gazan supporters argument was that they didnt have a problem with Jews?

Edited

I’m not talking about Jews as the religion or ethnicity. I am talking about israel. So maybe a small Israeli flag or pin?

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 17:53

There seems to be a strange attempt on here to equate wearing a poppy (a tradition socially accepted by the majority of people in mainland Britain commemorating our own war dead) with wearing a badge supporting a terrorist organisation thousands of miles away which is leading our Jewish population to feel unsafe in hospital.

It is a strange argument and one that I expect most normal, sound people disagree with.

But obviously everyone has the freedom to express their own views however unpalatable.

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 17:53

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 17:46

Such as a religious symbol like the star of David? Can NHS workers wear crosses or a veil?

Anyway I thought the Gazan supporters argument was that they didnt have a problem with Jews?

Edited

Or are you also wanting to ban Islamic symbolism?

Elsvieta · 13/10/2026 17:53

YANBU. They shouldn't be allowed to wear badges for anything. Keep your politics off your work uniform, when serving the public.

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 17:54

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 17:53

There seems to be a strange attempt on here to equate wearing a poppy (a tradition socially accepted by the majority of people in mainland Britain commemorating our own war dead) with wearing a badge supporting a terrorist organisation thousands of miles away which is leading our Jewish population to feel unsafe in hospital.

It is a strange argument and one that I expect most normal, sound people disagree with.

But obviously everyone has the freedom to express their own views however unpalatable.

People wearing a Palestinian flag are generally supporting the people of Palestine. Not Hamas. At least that is my experience.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 17:55

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 17:51

I’m not talking about Jews as the religion or ethnicity. I am talking about israel. So maybe a small Israeli flag or pin?

I think that isn't allowed. You do know there is a difference between the symbol of tne state of Israel and symbols of the Jewsih faith?

Whats your point?

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 17:57

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 17:54

People wearing a Palestinian flag are generally supporting the people of Palestine. Not Hamas. At least that is my experience.

Hard to tell tbe difference unfortunately. Especially when the first march in London after October 7th was organised by Hamas supporters.

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 17:58

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 17:55

I think that isn't allowed. You do know there is a difference between the symbol of tne state of Israel and symbols of the Jewsih faith?

Whats your point?

😂😂 of course I know that. I’ve been talking about Israel this whole time. It’s you who keeps trying to convince me I really Jewish people. Which I keep telling you I don’t.

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:00

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 17:53

There seems to be a strange attempt on here to equate wearing a poppy (a tradition socially accepted by the majority of people in mainland Britain commemorating our own war dead) with wearing a badge supporting a terrorist organisation thousands of miles away which is leading our Jewish population to feel unsafe in hospital.

It is a strange argument and one that I expect most normal, sound people disagree with.

But obviously everyone has the freedom to express their own views however unpalatable.

Except you don't see how hypocritical you sound. You'll completely dismiss the feelings of one group of patients who would feel distressed by a symbol they experience as representing a military force who brutalised them, while using the same argument to ban Palestinian flags or watermelon pins. It's inconsistent. Also using our' as though the people you're dismissing aren't also British people, and British people don't have a homogenous opinion on these things. As has been said before, many medics are wearing symbols of solidarity for their dead healthcare colleagues killed while trying to do their job

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:00

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 17:57

Hard to tell tbe difference unfortunately. Especially when the first march in London after October 7th was organised by Hamas supporters.

Well that’s a bit like saying no one should be able to fly St George’s flag for football, or the Union Jack for the jubilee, because the right wing us it and it’s hard to tell the difference.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:00

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 17:51

Except PP distinctly asked you about Israeli pins or badges or symbols, not religious Jewish items.

Oh yes I see. I thought that was a question with such an obvious answer that I thought she must be asking something a bit more nuanced.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:01

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:00

Well that’s a bit like saying no one should be able to fly St George’s flag for football, or the Union Jack for the jubilee, because the right wing us it and it’s hard to tell the difference.

That is the flag of the country we live in.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:02

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:00

Except you don't see how hypocritical you sound. You'll completely dismiss the feelings of one group of patients who would feel distressed by a symbol they experience as representing a military force who brutalised them, while using the same argument to ban Palestinian flags or watermelon pins. It's inconsistent. Also using our' as though the people you're dismissing aren't also British people, and British people don't have a homogenous opinion on these things. As has been said before, many medics are wearing symbols of solidarity for their dead healthcare colleagues killed while trying to do their job

I disagree.

KatiePricesKnickers · 13/10/2026 18:02

@Cartoonmouse “It is a strange argument and one that I expect most normal, sound people disagree with.
But obviously everyone has the freedom to express their own views however unpalatable.“

The pro-pallies are happy to twist any narrative and gaslight every argument, such are their twisted biased beliefs.

In the meantime, it’s just more evidence that the Greens are done for, and good fucking riddance.
I hope the environmentalists find a new home.

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:03

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 17:55

I think that isn't allowed. You do know there is a difference between the symbol of tne state of Israel and symbols of the Jewsih faith?

Whats your point?

Of course it's allowed, that's why trying to ban one symbol makes no sense when flags and political symbols are allowed for multiple causes and sometimes even encouraged with staff networks. It takes a while lot of mental gymnastics to ban only a Palestinian flag when pride lanyards, trade union badges, staff networks and diversity days, religious groups and memorials etc all exist displaying flags of multiple countries.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:03

KatiePricesKnickers · 13/10/2026 18:02

@Cartoonmouse “It is a strange argument and one that I expect most normal, sound people disagree with.
But obviously everyone has the freedom to express their own views however unpalatable.“

The pro-pallies are happy to twist any narrative and gaslight every argument, such are their twisted biased beliefs.

In the meantime, it’s just more evidence that the Greens are done for, and good fucking riddance.
I hope the environmentalists find a new home.

I know. It's just so revealing. Poppies, our nation's flags. All beyond the pale.

Sunlight is the best form of disinfectant.

KatiePricesKnickers · 13/10/2026 18:04

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:03

I know. It's just so revealing. Poppies, our nation's flags. All beyond the pale.

Sunlight is the best form of disinfectant.

I got my threads mixed up! I need another Lambrusco.

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:04

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:01

That is the flag of the country we live in.

But one which has been a widely adopted as a symbol of xenophobia.

my point is that just because some people use it to represent something bad doesn’t mean that people who don’t should be banned from it.

fwiw, I don’t think medics or patient facing staff should wear political symbols. But expressing pro Palestinian or anti-genocide sentiments doesn’t make them antisemitic. NHS staff or otherwise.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:04

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:03

Of course it's allowed, that's why trying to ban one symbol makes no sense when flags and political symbols are allowed for multiple causes and sometimes even encouraged with staff networks. It takes a while lot of mental gymnastics to ban only a Palestinian flag when pride lanyards, trade union badges, staff networks and diversity days, religious groups and memorials etc all exist displaying flags of multiple countries.

Are NHS workers allowed to wear a pin of the Israeli flag when dealing with patients?

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:05

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:02

I disagree.

With which bit? You think British people have a homogenous opinion on poppies and political symbols? 😵‍💫

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:06

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:04

Are NHS workers allowed to wear a pin of the Israeli flag when dealing with patients?

Yes they are, there's no rules on pins people are allowed to wear (unless it was obscene).

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:07

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:06

Yes they are, there's no rules on pins people are allowed to wear (unless it was obscene).

Well I doubt they are for safety reasons.

Have any Jewish doctors or nurses posted similar hate online about Palestinians and then treated them in an NHS hospital wearing an Israeli flag pin out of interest?

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:08

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:06

Yes they are, there's no rules on pins people are allowed to wear (unless it was obscene).

@Cartoonmouse do you think Israel pins should also be banned? In the same vein Palestinian flags upset Jewish patients I can very much imagine Israel flags would upset Palestinians/ Iranian/ Lebanese/ Syrian/ Yemenis [whoever else Israel is currently bombing/ killing]patients

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:09

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:07

Well I doubt they are for safety reasons.

Have any Jewish doctors or nurses posted similar hate online about Palestinians and then treated them in an NHS hospital wearing an Israeli flag pin out of interest?

So the Palestine pins aren’t a safety hazard but Israeli ones would be? Hmmm 🤔