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Anti-Semitism complaints at GMC increase after Hamas attacks

Gillberg
Anti-Semitism complaints at GMC increase after Hamas attacks

image description, The Jewish doctor, who spoke to the BBC, said he still wears a Star of David necklace despite the abuse he has suffered since October 7

  • Author, Guy Lynn and Stephen Menon
  • Role, BBC Investigations, London
  • Twitter, @guy_lynn

According to General Medical Council records, complaints that doctors subjected Jewish colleagues to anti-Semitic slurs rose sharply in the months following the October 7 attacks and the subsequent war between Israel and Gaza.

One doctor, a senior Jewish doctor in London, told the BBC he was the victim of a vicious anti-Semitic outburst from a colleague days after the fatal attacks.

The rise in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic complaints reflects a broader trend of increasing religious hate crimes in the UK since the recent conflict, according to figures obtained by the BBC.

The GMC, which has jurisdiction over doctors in the UK, said it was investigating serious concerns and would take action if necessary.

image description, The doctor, who did not want to be named, says he received verbal anti-Semitic abuse in the days after the Hamas attacks

The London hospital doctor, who wished to remain anonymous, described a colleague’s “horrific” verbal attack.

“This doctor knew I was Jewish, and just days after October 7, he began expressing his support for Hamas by repeatedly screaming in my face, ‘You are a baby murderer’.”

The doctor said he was “extremely upset, appalled and shocked” by the workplace harassment.

“I’ve never seen it so obvious in a hospital – a place that’s supposed to be the ultimate safe place.”

According to the BBC, the hospital involved is investigating all aspects of the case, including allegations of anti-Semitism.

image description, Since October 7th, allegations of Islamophobic and anti-Semitic incidents by doctors against their colleagues have been increasing

Since the start of 2023, the GMC has received eight complaints of anti-Semitism by doctors.

However, in the four months following the Hamas attacks, 60 medical professionals across the UK were reported for alleged anti-Semitic behavior or comments towards their colleagues.

Of those 60 complaints, 22 are currently undergoing ‘triage’, a process by which the GMC determines whether a complaint should be subject to a full investigation.

According to the GMC, 1,903 doctors were identified as Jewish in 2023, according to the most recent data available. This represents around 1% of registered doctors in the UK.

image description, It has been claimed that incidents of Islamophobia towards doctors have been under-reported since the Hamas attacks

The GMC figures, obtained through a BBC Freedom of Information request, also show a rise in complaints of Islamophobia by doctors since October 7, with 16 cases from October to January compared to three in the previous nine months.

According to the regulator’s latest figures, there are 53,359 doctors in the UK who identify as Muslim – 17% of doctors.

Of the 16 complaints filed after October 7, 12 are in triage and four have been closed.

Dr. Salman Waqar, from the British Islamic Medical Association, said while the figures showed an increase in Islamophobic incidents, it was difficult to give an accurate representation of the problem within the NHS.

“People tend not to report it out of fear. In the medical profession, most Muslim colleagues are not yet high-ranking. “We don’t hear about the worst cases as often as we should,” said Dr. Waqar.

He said there were many who feared they would lose their visa if they complained.

He described examples of Muslim doctors who were affected by exclusion, such as: Such as excluding important email chains or meetings and other cases in which Muslim doctors reported feeling let down by colleagues who did not speak up when patients made Islamophobic comments.

“These characters create a system of ‘us and them’ and should not appear as if we are in the ‘Racism Olympics,'” said Dr. Waqar.

He also criticized the GMC for following a “common sense” definition of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia rather than working with groups to develop a clearer and more precise definition.

image description, Dr. Dave Rich of the Community Security Trust says he is shocked that their colleagues are targeting doctors simply because they are Jewish

For the Jewish community, the rise in anti-Semitism complaints against healthcare professionals has been particularly worrying and reflects a broader trend in the UK since October 7.

Dr. Dave Rich, from the Community Security Trust, a charity that monitors anti-Semitism, said: “It is shocking to see this in the medical profession – the part of society where we expect everyone to behave with complete professionalism and neutrality. “

Dr. Rich said his organization has received “pretty unusual” reports from Jewish medical professionals in recent months about “things that have been said to them or posted online or other types of anti-Semitic behavior from colleagues.”

He called it “really disappointing to see this unfold after a conflict abroad.”

Dr. Rich said Jewish doctors are ostracized by their colleagues simply because of their identity.

“The vast majority of incidents we record involve visibly Jewish people or Jewish organizations being singled out simply because they are Jewish and either being harassed or threatened or treated as if they are somehow pro-everything, “What Israel has done, responsible or guilty, simply because.” They are Jews,” said Dr. Rich.

image description, The Jewish Medical Association says the GMC has been “slow” to respond to complaints about anti-Semitism

Prof David Katz of the Jewish Medical Association accused the GMC of being “sluggish” and “unclear” about its criteria for identifying and resolving cases of suspected anti-Semitism.

He believes the reported incidents are “just the tip of the iceberg” and that some Jewish doctors are reluctant to come forward.

“There is a question as to whether the desire not to identify too publicly as Jewish remains strong, which may be due somewhat to the nature of the underlying host society,” said Prof. Katz.

The Professional Standards Authority, which oversees the GMC, was previously warned by Health Minister Victoria Atkins that it was “vital to public trust” that “any cases of extremism, discrimination or hate speech are dealt with thoroughly and in a timely manner”.

A GMC spokesman told the BBC: “We recognize the significant impact the ongoing conflict is having on professionals, patients and all those affected.”

“Since October 2023, we have received a large number of complaints about doctors’ comments on social media related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

“Doctors are entitled to personal beliefs and nothing prevents doctors from exercising their right to speak about or advocate on issues, but this must not affect their relationship with patients or the treatment they offer or arrange.”

“Our guidelines make it clear that discrimination is incompatible with the responsibilities and duties of a doctor.”

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