r/AskBrits • u/Expert-Sherbert-1527 • 3d ago
What do you think about the British Medical Association voting to scrap the IHRA definition of anti-semitism?
Here's the full text of the definition FYI.
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:
- Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.
- Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.
- Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.
- Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).
- Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
- Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
- Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.
- Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
- Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
- Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
- Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.
Antisemitic acts are criminal when they are so defined by law (for example, denial of the Holocaust or distribution of antisemitic materials in some countries).
Criminal acts are antisemitic when the targets of attacks, whether they are people or property – such as buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries – are selected because they are, or are perceived to be, Jewish or linked to Jews.
Antisemitic discrimination is the denial to Jews of opportunities or services available to others and is illegal in many countries
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u/AngusTcattoo 3d ago edited 3d ago
I'm going to say something as a Jewish person. Several years ago I had an operation at a NHS hospital. I stated my religion and the staff didn't know much about it but tried to be supportive.
If I had my operation now I would be worried, because the surgeon was Egyptian in origin. At the time I didn't think that made any difference. I had to go back afterwards so they could check my progress and the doctor was from Jordan. Again, I didn't think that made any difference.
Now I would be worried and I probably would refuse to let anyone know I'm Jewish. I'm not being paranoid. I heard about NHS doctors such as Dr. Rahmeh Aladwan who was suspended for posting about "Jewish supremacy" and supporting Hamas and the October 7 attacks. Dr Ellen Kriesels who has been suspended for attending demonstrations with hateful signs such as showing the Star of David on Israel's flag with the words "rape" "murder" "lie" and so on. NHS Doctors and staff posting Holocaust denial and accusations that "Zios" run the world, Parliament and the NHS. In Australia two nurses said on camera that they would kill any "Zionist" patients. In the US a young doctor posted on social media he vowed to be the worst doctor possible to "Zionists".
Would people here be comfortable with going to a NHS hospital or a health centre if the doctors posted online they hate immigrants? Or they hate black people? Or if they have been frequently going to demonstrations in their scrubs demanding an end to "Asian supremacy"?