British Medical Association votes to drop IHRA antisemitism definition from NHS use

The British Medical Association voted this week to end the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism across the UK National Health Service. The surprise decision was adopted on Tuesday at the BMA annual general meeting, even though the NHS had previously adopted the definition to help protect Jewish staff and patients.

The motion calls on the government and the NHS to withdraw the mandatory adoption of the IHRA definition across the health service until “appropriate safeguards” are in place, saying this is needed to protect “freedom of expression in health care settings.” The British Jewish newspaper Jewish Chronicle reported that the move overturned the earlier NHS policy meant to safeguard Jewish workers and patients.

A BMA spokesperson said the proposal reflects members’ frustration that their ability to criticize Israel is under threat. The spokesperson added that doctors in Britain and around the world have watched “in shock” the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded during the conflict in the Middle East, including “devastating civilian loss of life” and harm to health workers and medical facilities.

The BMA also argued that doctors must be able to criticize the actions of states and armed forces, especially when health services are under threat, without being wrongly accused of discrimination or facing disciplinary action. The move comes after the British government fully accepted all recommendations in a report on antisemitism in the NHS written by Lord Mann, the government’s independent adviser on antisemitism.