The British Medical Association (BMA) has voted to discontinue the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, citing concerns that it has a "chilling effect" on free speech within the National Health Service (NHS). The decision, made at the BMA's annual conference, comes amid growing worries that healthcare workers are being penalized for expressing views on international conflicts, particularly concerning Palestine.
The motion passed by the doctors' union calls for the provision of urgent guidance and support to members who face disciplinary action or professional detriment for expressing legitimate political views or ethical concerns about international conflicts. It also urges NHS England and other NHS organizations to conduct comprehensive risk assessments before implementing policies that could impact employees' freedom of expression.
NHS England had formally adopted the IHRA definition in October 2025, a decision that was met with both support from some Jewish organizations and criticism from civil liberty groups and pro-Palestine campaigners. This move by the BMA follows a review by Lord John Mann, the UK government's advisor on antisemitism, which recommended mandatory antisemitism training for 1.5 million NHS staff and proposed banning them from displaying political symbols in the workplace or attending protests in uniform.
Critics of the IHRA definition argue that certain accompanying examples risk conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism, thereby potentially restricting legitimate political speech and advocacy for Palestinian rights. Conversely, supporters contend that the definition is a vital tool for identifying and combating antisemitism and does not preclude criticism of Israeli government policies. Earlier in June, a coalition of medical associations representing over 13,000 healthcare workers urged the British government to halt the implementation of Lord Mann's proposed measures, which they believe would censor pro-Palestine advocacy within the NHS. The article notes several instances where medical workers have been reprimanded for showing support for Palestine or using related memorabilia, such as a British-Palestinian nurse asked to remove a watermelon background from his video calls due to its perceived association with the Palestinian cause.
