Campaign Against Antisemitism documentary exposes antisemitism in British healthcare system

The Campaign Against Antisemitism has unveiled a documentary titled "Malignant: Antisemitism in the NHS," shedding light on the prevalence of antisemitism within Britain's National Health Service (NHS). The film features interviews with NHS staff and patients, who recount harrowing experiences of antisemitic harassment and prejudice.

Registered nurse Shelley Lipman, who identifies as Jewish, described how a colleague once displayed a Nazi salute after learning of her Jewish identity. Another woman recounted being physically assaulted by a colleague when she attempted to correct a staff member's racist comment. A dentist testified to a public vote to ban and remove Zionists from a professional group, resulting in many Jewish-sounding professionals being removed.

According to Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at CAA, doctors with Jewish-sounding names have been advised to stop ordering kosher food and remove their name badges to avoid discrimination. A significant number of NHS doctors have reportedly resigned, citing safety concerns or depression. Patients also expressed concerns, with one surgery revealing a surgeon's antisemitic remarks during a procedure.

The documentary also highlights the struggles of Jewish patients in reporting incidents, with many feeling that their complaints were met with obstruction and dismissal. The polling of the Jewish community showed that a majority are concerned about unequal care based on their Jewish identity, and one-third of Jewish NHS users since October 7, 2023, took steps to hide their identity.

CAA CEO Gideon Falter emphasized the need for a comprehensive response to address the extremist culture within the NHS, regulatory failures, and lack of accountability.