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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:
Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:10

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:08

@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

Edited

As far as I know no flag is allowed to be worn by NHS staff at work.

Moreuniformstodry · 13/10/2026 18:11

5MinuteArgument · 13/10/2026 17:40

There's no such thing as Northern Irish Britons. Northern Ireland is not part of Britain (it is part of the UK though).

Northern Irish people might be living in England, Scotland or Wales but they are not British. They have their own health care system that is not part of the NHS.

Nearly everyone in Northern Ireland is born with British citizenship, whether they want it or not!

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:13

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:10

As far as I know no flag is allowed to be worn by NHS staff at work.

ok, so what is the pro Palestinian symbolism doctors are wearing and you want to ban if you say flag pins are already banned?

inamarina · 13/10/2026 18:17

OutOfTheOtherSide · 12/10/2026 08:02

@Twiglets1 Can you show us how the rates of antisemitism in the NHS compares to the rates in the hairdressing profession or catering or logistics? Because you seem to be suggesting the NHS is racist? Racism, antisemitism or any other form of discrimination is abhorrent but it is highly likely to be equally as prevalent in any other organisation or sector. Why pick on the NHS? Are you concerned about antisemitism or just looking for new ways to bash the NHS?

Racism should always be challenged, but there is a fundamental difference between a tax-funded public institution providing an essential service and a private business.

That’s not to say private businesses shouldn’t be challenged, but it is obviously far easier and significantly less consequential to avoid a racist hairdresser than it is to avoid a racist medical professional when you are vulnerable and need healthcare.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:17

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:13

ok, so what is the pro Palestinian symbolism doctors are wearing and you want to ban if you say flag pins are already banned?

I think you may have missed out a bit of this thread.....

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:19

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:17

I think you may have missed out a bit of this thread.....

Probably, there’s been almost 400 posts. There was scarves mention, and Palestinian flags mentioned. Unless you reckon they wear Palestinian flag face paint I assumed you meant the flag pins.

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:22

Ah yes the OP said a Palestinian badge. So assume one of those flag pins? So why can’t there be an Israeli one? At least in theory? And if so should that also be banned? That’s what I am asking you and you seem extremely set on just answering that question, first by trying to convince me I am mistaking Israel and Judaism, and then by raising health and safety issues with flag pins. Strange.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:22

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:19

Probably, there’s been almost 400 posts. There was scarves mention, and Palestinian flags mentioned. Unless you reckon they wear Palestinian flag face paint I assumed you meant the flag pins.

I think this was covered earlier re the ban. Do correct me if I'm wrong.

Laurmolonlabe · 13/10/2026 18:22

CurdinHenry · 12/10/2026 09:30

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

I have seen no evidence anyone in the NHS who is not happy about Gaza has translated that into not treating patients- all that has been said is that some patients have been reluctant to ask for Kosher meals- not exactly life threatening, and TBH that is more about the anxiety of the patient than it is about how they have been treated. Should there actually be some evidence that clinical treatment has changed one iota- I'm behind the clinician being pulled up for unprofessionalism.

inamarina · 13/10/2026 18:27

pearpudding · 12/10/2026 08:12

So no evidence of these health professionals treating Jewish patients to a lower standard of care or making racist comments tot them then, just anti-Zionist/Israel posts on social media.

Edited

Would you be okay with medical professionals posting anti-Muslim or anti-immigration commentary on their personal social media? Or does this relaxed attitude to prejudice only apply to Jewish people?

Criticism of Israel is okay, but anti-Zionism is frequently used as a thin veneer for blatant antisemitism. If a doctor is publicly obsessing over the world’s only Jewish state online, Jewish patients have every right to feel unsafe under their care.

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 18:31

Laurmolonlabe · 13/10/2026 18:22

I have seen no evidence anyone in the NHS who is not happy about Gaza has translated that into not treating patients- all that has been said is that some patients have been reluctant to ask for Kosher meals- not exactly life threatening, and TBH that is more about the anxiety of the patient than it is about how they have been treated. Should there actually be some evidence that clinical treatment has changed one iota- I'm behind the clinician being pulled up for unprofessionalism.

all that has been said is that some patients have been reluctant to ask for Kosher meals- FALSE

The UK government and NHS England accepted all 36 recommendations of the independent review on antisemitism and racism in the National Health Service led by Lord John Mann in June 2026.

Key Findings of the Review

  • Extent of Antisemitism: The review found that anti-Jewish racism, routine ostracism, and hostility are persistent and, in some cases, normalised across certain NHS settings.
  • Impact on Staff and Patients: Evidence showed Jewish staff facing increasing discrimination from colleagues—with some considering leaving the service—and Jewish patients expressing reluctance to seek medical treatment.
  • Regulatory Concerns: The report highlighted shortcomings in how health and care regulators (such as the General Medical Council) and NHS employers identify, report, and act on antisemitic behaviour.
OP posts:
Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:32

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?

Do you think they should be banned?

OP posts:
inamarina · 13/10/2026 18:34

Hankunamatata · 12/10/2026 08:26

So if someone rants about Donald Trump and his actions does that make them racists against Americans?

That analogy doesn’t work.
Ranting about Donald Trump is equivalent to ranting about Netanyahu.
It is not equivalent to ranting about ‘the Zionists’.

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:35

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:10

As far as I know no flag is allowed to be worn by NHS staff at work.

Kindly then you don't know much about the NHS! I've already told you that multiple flags are worn and displayed on NHS premises hence proposing to ban just one is gonna need proper logic or you have to revoke the entire existence of staff networks, black history month, remembrance ceremonies etc

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:36

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:32

Do you think they should be banned?

What..political symbols? Yes of course. No one wants to know other people's political views particularly when vulnerable in hospital.

Plus an adult should have grown out of wearing badges. Unless they are Rick from the Young Ones.

Twiglets1 · 13/10/2026 18:36

You may not have seen any evidence @Laurmolonlabe but Lord Mann did.

Extracts from his report:

In my role as the government’s independent advisor on antisemitism, and in leading this review, I have heard evidence of routine ostracism of Jewish people, continuous negativity to people because of their identity, extreme behaviours including serious race hate incidents, and related consequences, for example, patients not wishing to present for treatment and staff no longer wishing to work within the NHS.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lord-mann-review-on-antisemitism-and-other-forms-of-racism-in-the-nhs/lord-mann-review-of-antisemitism-and-other-forms-of-racism-in-the-nhs-and-healthcare-regulatory-system

OP posts:
itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:37

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:36

What..political symbols? Yes of course. No one wants to know other people's political views particularly when vulnerable in hospital.

Plus an adult should have grown out of wearing badges. Unless they are Rick from the Young Ones.

symbols of Israel is the question.

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:38

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:36

What..political symbols? Yes of course. No one wants to know other people's political views particularly when vulnerable in hospital.

Plus an adult should have grown out of wearing badges. Unless they are Rick from the Young Ones.

So pride lanyards, poppies and trade union badges too. You're welcome to your opinion but it's completely impractical in reality. You are at least not inconsistent in wishing to see the Israeli flag banned in hospitals as you are with poppies.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:39

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:37

symbols of Israel is the question.

I think weve already been through this?

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:41

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:39

I think weve already been through this?

Except you weirdly - still - won’t answer the question. Why? It’s a simple yes or no?

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:42

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:38

So pride lanyards, poppies and trade union badges too. You're welcome to your opinion but it's completely impractical in reality. You are at least not inconsistent in wishing to see the Israeli flag banned in hospitals as you are with poppies.

At the risk of this thread being groundhog day, poppies are not political symbols to the majority of normal people in mainland Britain. And I bet not to a lot of people in Northern Ireland either although I don't know. We only have the view of a poster on MN to contradict that.

Anyway lets agree to disagree. I think you are veey wrong and you think I am.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:43

itsadlibitum · 13/10/2026 18:41

Except you weirdly - still - won’t answer the question. Why? It’s a simple yes or no?

Oh goodness me. Whats the question again?

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:44

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:42

At the risk of this thread being groundhog day, poppies are not political symbols to the majority of normal people in mainland Britain. And I bet not to a lot of people in Northern Ireland either although I don't know. We only have the view of a poster on MN to contradict that.

Anyway lets agree to disagree. I think you are veey wrong and you think I am.

'normal people'

You also still can't get your head around people with Irish heritage live in Britain as well as many others who can see that the poppy is absolutely a political symbol, if it weren't it wouldn't be so policed of what it means when someone doesn't wear one and you wouldn't have drawn an assumptions about wearers of the white poppy in the way you did. I notice you ignored whether you also wish to ban pride lanyards and trade union badges.

Cartoonmouse · 13/10/2026 18:46

Dontmakemethinkofanotherbloodyusername · 13/10/2026 18:44

'normal people'

You also still can't get your head around people with Irish heritage live in Britain as well as many others who can see that the poppy is absolutely a political symbol, if it weren't it wouldn't be so policed of what it means when someone doesn't wear one and you wouldn't have drawn an assumptions about wearers of the white poppy in the way you did. I notice you ignored whether you also wish to ban pride lanyards and trade union badges.

Oh yes ban those too. 12 year olds shouldn't be working in the NHS. No need for badges.