Delegates at the British Medical Association’s (BMA) annual meeting have voted to campaign against the National Health Service’s adoption of an official definition of anti-Semitism, as well as related measures including anti-Semitism training and a ban on pro-Palestinian badges. The motion, proposed by Dr. Shabina Sultan, a consultant rheumatologist at Airedale Hospital in Keighley, West Yorkshire, expressed “grave concerns” that the definition suppresses free speech and equates anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism.
Dr. Sultan argued that the definition is employed to silence Muslim and Palestinian voices, suggesting it is used to “weaponise accusations” and obscure legitimate oppression. The BMA delegates voted to lobby the Government and NHS England to revoke their adoption of the definition and to oppose the implementation of the associated anti-Semitism training and restrictions.
The decision has drawn significant criticism from various groups. The Jewish Medical Association described the vote as “highly alarmed,” emphasizing concerns about the potential impact on efforts to combat anti-Semitism within the health service. Meanwhile, the Israeli Embassy condemned the BMA’s stance, accusing the union of neglecting its responsibilities and claiming it had been “hijacked.”
Adding to the controversy is the case of Dr. Rahmeh Aladwan from Pilning, Gloucestershire, who is currently awaiting trial on six counts related to supporting Hamas and inciting racial hatred against Jews. Prosecutors allege that she posted statements on social media expressing support for Hamas’s actions on October 7. Dr. Aladwan’s remarks have heightened tensions around the BMA vote and the broader debate on definitions and policies addressing anti-Semitism and free speech within UK health institutions.
The BMA’s position signals ongoing disputes over how anti-Semitism is defined and addressed, particularly in relation to political expressions associated with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The union’s campaign against the NHS measures underscores a divide between efforts to implement official anti-Semitism frameworks and concerns about their implications for political expression and minority communities.