Surge in complaints about doctors subjecting Jewish colleagues to antisemitic abuse
BBC investigation confirms 60 medical professionals were reported for alleged antisemitic conduct or remarks against their colleagues across the UK after Oct 7
Complaints about doctors subjecting Jewish colleagues to antisemitic abuse have surged since the 7 October Hamas terror attacks and Israel’s subsequent response, General Medical Council records show.
A BBC investigation also revealed that a senior Jewish physician in London said he had been subjected to a vicious antisemitic outburst by a colleague a few days after the deadly attacks.
From the start of 2023, the GMC received eight complaints about antisemitism by doctors, but in the four months after the Hamas attacks, 60 medical professionals were reported for alleged antisemitic conduct or remarks against their colleagues across the UK.
Of these 60 complaints, 22 are currently undergoing “triage”, a process where the GMC determines whether a complaint should proceed to a full investigation.
The GMC figures, obtained via a freedom of information request by the BBC, also show an uptick in complaints about Islamophobia by doctors since 7 October, with 16 cases from October through to January compared to three in the preceding nine months.
Dr Dave Rich from the Community Security Trust said: “It is shocking to see this happening within the medical profession – the one part of society where we expect everybody to behave with complete professionalism and neutrality.”
Dr Rich said his organisation had received “quite unusual” reports from Jewish medics about “things either said to them, or posted online, or other kinds of antisemitic behaviour from colleagues” in recent months.
He called it “really disappointing to see this playing out” in the wake of an overseas conflict.
Dr Rich said Jewish medical professionals were being singled out by their colleagues simply due to their identity.
“The vast majority of incidents that we record involve visibly Jewish people or Jewish organisations being singled out simply because they are Jewish, and either harassed or threatened, or treated as if they are somehow to blame or responsible for anything Israel has done, simply because they are Jewish,” Dr Rich said.
According to the GMC, 1,903 doctors identified as Jewish in 2023, the most recent data available. This is roughly 1% of licensed doctors in the UK.
The GMC, which regulates doctors in the UK, said it was investigating serious concerns and would take action where necessary.
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