British Medical Association backs move to drop IHRA antisemitism definition in NHS

The British Medical Association (BMA) voted this week to call for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism to be dropped across England’s National Health Service, a move reported as coming amid record levels of antisemitism in Britain. The decision was taken at the BMA’s annual general meeting and reverses the use of the IHRA definition in the NHS, which had previously been adopted to protect Jewish staff and Jewish patients.

The motion approved at the meeting urges the government and NHS England to remove the requirement to adopt the IHRA definition across the health service until “appropriate safeguards” are in place to protect “freedom of expression in medical settings.” Supporters of the motion argued that the definition has a “chilling effect” on political speech and prevents NHS doctors from voicing “ethical concerns about the actions of Israel in Palestine.” It also called for “urgent guidance and support” for members facing disciplinary action or professional harm because of what the motion described as legitimate political views or ethical concerns related to international conflicts, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Jewish Chronicle, which reported the story, quoted a Jewish doctor in Britain as saying, “colleagues told me they would not treat dying patients from Israel.” The BMA said the vote reflected members’ frustration and their belief that criticism of Israel is “under threat.”

In response, a BMA spokesman told the Jewish Chronicle that antisemitism is “completely unacceptable” and has no place in the BMA, the NHS, or wider society. He said doctors must be able to criticize states and armed forces “without being unfairly accused of discrimination or facing disciplinary action,” and said the organization would continue working to protect freedom of expression while guarding against discrimination. The vote comes after the British government fully adopted recommendations from Lord Mann’s report on antisemitism in the NHS.