Defending Impartiality and Public Trust in the NHS
We Believe in Israel (WBII), together with our partners Stop The Hate, The Shield of David, and Friends of Israel Glasgow, has today released two urgent documents: a Policy Briefing and a Parliamentary Briefing on the growing problem of NHS doctors and healthcare staff endorsing terrorism or spreading antisemitic hate online.
Since October 7, 2023, there has been a sharp rise in cases where NHS staff have openly praised Hamas – a proscribed terrorist organisation under UK law – or propagated antisemitic narratives that threaten Jewish patients’ sense of safety and trust. This is not simply a matter of free expression. It is potentially unlawful under the Terrorism Act 2000, and it represents a clear breach of medical ethics and professional standards.
The NHS is one of Britain’s most trusted national institutions, founded on the principle of impartial care for all. When doctors and staff promote hatred or glorify terrorism, they undermine that neutrality and risk eroding public confidence in the entire system. Jewish patients and professionals are already reporting hostile treatment and a breakdown of trust. Left unchecked, this sets a precedent that could endanger all minority communities.
WBII and our partners are therefore taking action:
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Policy Briefing: Documents the scale of the problem, including case studies and GMC data, and outlines urgent reforms needed to safeguard impartiality in healthcare.
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Parliamentary Briefing: Calls directly on MPs to act, highlighting the risks to public safety, community cohesion, national security, and the integrity of the NHS. It sets out recommendations for stronger GMC enforcement, referral to counterterrorism police, and zero tolerance policies within NHS Trusts.
We will also be writing directly to the Health Secretary to demand a clear public response and assurances that the GMC and NHS Trusts are acting with the seriousness this issue requires.
This is about more than protecting Jewish patients. It is about ensuring the NHS remains a sanctuary of care, not a stage for imported conflicts or extremist ideology. With the support of our valued partners, WBII will continue to work with policymakers, Parliament, and the wider public to ensure that the NHS remains impartial, safe, and trusted by every community in Britain.
