Threats, Nazi salutes, and attacks: The rising antisemitism in the UK healthcare system

A new report by the organization for combating antisemitism reveals a wave of threats, Nazi salutes, and attacks against Jews in the UK's public healthcare system. Among the cases: a Jewish patient was cursed during surgery, a nurse received a Nazi salute from a colleague, and a professor was threatened. A third of British Jews have felt uncomfortable in healthcare services since October 2023.

A new report by the organization for combating antisemitism, published this week in the UK under the title "Malignant: Antisemitism in the National Health Service (NHS)", reveals a series of cases of Jew-hatred, harassment, and threats in the public healthcare system. The investigation, published in the Daily Telegraph, brings harrowing testimonies: in one case, a Jewish patient named Sol Freeman suffered antisemitic slurs during a surgical procedure, when the surgeon launched into a political attack on the war in Gaza while making incisions on his forehead. In another case, a Jewish nurse received a Nazi salute from a colleague, who confirmed this was his intention but remained in his position. A senior professor faced threats to his property and person, and a Jewish emergency services worker was physically attacked by a colleague. Accompanying data indicates that a third of British Jews who used NHS services since October 2023 felt uncomfortable due to their identity, and more than 40% chose to hide their Judaism for fear of discrimination. Organization leaders call on healthcare system leadership and authorities to act against an extremist culture that has spread in medical institutions.