The UK's National Health Service (NHS) faces accusations of "antisemitic rot" following the release of interviews detailing alleged abuse experienced by Jewish patients and staff. The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), a Jewish advocacy group, has shared accounts of incidents including a Nazi salute, racial abuse during surgery, and death threats.
A poll conducted by the CAA suggests that nearly half of British Jews have taken steps to conceal their religious identity since the October 7 attacks in Israel, fearing unequal treatment within the NHS. "At the very moment when they need the NHS the most, instead of being able to trust our national healthcare provider, Jewish people are having to hide their identity for fear of unequal treatment or abuse," stated Stephen Silverman, director of Investigations and Enforcement at CAA.
One nurse, Shelly Lipman, reported that a healthcare assistant performed a Nazi salute in front of her after they had discussed the meaning of her Hebrew calligraphy tattoo. "I was just absolutely gobsmacked. Right next to a patient's bed as well," she recounted.
Saul Freeman, a patient undergoing surgery, alleged that his surgeon commented during the procedure that "the Jews shoot children in the head or the legs for fun" and implied they "do it differently for their own amusement each day." He reported feeling vulnerable and concealed his Star of David, fearing the surgeon knew his identity.
Allegations extend to death threats received by a senior Jewish medical professor, and other Jewish doctors reportedly stopped wearing name badges to avoid abuse. Some have claimed to be "aggressively interrogated" for wearing religious symbols. Adam, a dentist, described instances of discrimination and conspiracy theories targeting Jews in professional online forums, with some members advocating for the removal of individuals with "Jewish sounding names."
One NHS staff member shared an experience where her plan to celebrate Hanukkah with colleagues was deemed "inappropriate due to the current climate," which she interpreted as a rejection of Jewish presence. Another interviewee reported being told by a staff member that "all Jewish people are racist and because we were Jews, didn't understand what racism was," leading to a physical altercation.
A patient reportedly received a threat of dialysis treatment being stopped after complaining about a "free Palestine" t-shirt that "erased Israel as a Jewish homeland." Other patients reported boycott Israel stickers being placed in their rooms.
Doctors and Regulators Under Scrutiny
The CAA documentary also highlighted several medical professionals and their past actions and statements. Dr. Rahmeh Aladwan, an NHS doctor, faces scrutiny for social media posts that included descriptions of "Jewish supremacy," labeling Israelis as "worse than Nazis," and referring to the Holocaust as "a concept." She was charged earlier this year with four counts of inviting support for Hamas. The General Medical Council (GMC) has investigated her fitness to practice.
Dr. Abed Alfarra, an emergency medicine specialist, was recorded at a rally stating, "Zionists control the media, Zionists control the world." Consultant plastic surgeon Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah faces a High Court hearing after the GMC appealed a decision to clear him of claims of supporting terrorism. In a past rally clip, Dr. Abu-Sittah stated, "After eleven months, it's clear the Israeli government and the Israeli population have now embraced the final solution."
Other figures mentioned include Dr. Ranjeet Brar, who drew parallels between Zionists and Nazis, and Dr. Rehiana Ali, who stated she does not accept Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Official Responses and Proposed Solutions
An NHS spokesperson acknowledged that the stories "show there is unacceptable antisemitism and racism in the NHS, faced by both our staff and our patients and we must root this out." The NHS stated it is taking "targeted action to support our staff" and implementing recommendations from Lord Mann's review to combat antisemitism and racism.
Sir Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS England, echoed these sentiments, stating that "there is unacceptable anti-Semitism and racism in the NHS... and we must root this out." A government review into antisemitism in the NHS, led by Lord Mann, found that some staff experience "routine ostracism" and considered leaving the service.
Recommendations include mandatory anti-racism training, specifically covering antisemitism, for NHS bosses and trust chairmen within six months. Existing training on equality, diversity, and human rights will be updated to include content on antisemitism and anti-Muslim hostility.
Lord Mann emphasized the need for Jewish people to be confident they will receive equal treatment. "If people feel, as they do, that some have to hide their identity as patients or suffer in silence as staff, then the universality of the NHS is fundamentally breached," he stated, calling for consistency and clear leadership.