UK doctors reject IHRA definition and back protections for staff speaking on Palestine
The British Medical Association (BMA) has voted to drop the controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, saying it had a “chilling effect” on free speech in the workplace.
Doctors from across Britain backed the motion at the BMA’s annual conference on Tuesday, amid growing concerns that healthcare workers are being punished for expressing views on international conflicts.
The motion called on the doctors’ union to “provide urgent guidance and support to members who face disciplinary action or professional detriment for expressing legitimate political views or ethical concerns about international conflicts, including Palestine/Israel”.
The text also urged NHS England and NHS organisations to conduct “comprehensive risk assessments” before implementing policies that could affect employees’ freedom of expression.
Read more: UK doctors reject IHRA definition and back protections for staff speaking on Palestine
During Israel's genocidal war on Gaza several NHS workers have been reprimanded for showing support for Palestine (Yassin Soudan/MEE)