SA Jews fear antisemitism in UK NHS

Many South African Jewish emigrants to the United Kingdom have experienced or are fearful of experiencing antisemitism in the National Health Service (NHS), and they appear to have good reason to feel that way. 

Kate*, a South African-born radiographer working in a diagnostic breast-cancer unit outside London, said the period after 7 October 2023 left her “scared and unsafe” at work. “Our department WhatsApp groups filled with angry political posts,” she said. “I was told management would deal with it, but I still took off my Hatzolah badge and the Hebrew letters from my car.” She later resigned. “I’m so sad to leave like this,” she said. Her daughter, who will give birth in January, has arranged for a Jewish doula and midwife. 

Kate’s story is one of many of South African Jews now living in the UK who describe a growing unease in British healthcare settings. Some work inside the system; others are patients. All report that being identifiably Jewish has become uncomfortable or, at times, frightening. 

Gina*, the daughter of a South African expatriate in London and now in her third trimester, said she hides her identity when attending antenatal appointments. “I always take off my chai necklace before scans, and never mention my background,” she said. “When I travelled to Israel at 20 weeks, I told staff I was going somewhere in Europe.” She hired a Jewish doula “for an extra layer of support and security during birth”. 

Jewish birth workers confirm that anxiety among Jewish mothers has surged since the Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war. One London-based Jewish doula, who asked to remain anonymous for safety, said many clients specifically seek Jewish support because they fear bias in NHS hospitals. She described a video consultation that ended abruptly when she mentioned being Jewish. “Their faces just dropped,” she said. “Within minutes, the call was over.” 

She said she has seen midwives wearing Palestinian-flag pins or “watermelon” emblems, symbols associated with solidarity for Gaza, despite NHS guidance forbidding political displays on uniforms. “Jewish women are terrified they’ll be treated badly while in labour,” she said. “They just want someone who will make sure nothing negative happens.” 

A Jewish doula, Jane*, said she witnessed similar displays in London hospitals and now advises clients to report any political symbols and request different staff if necessary. “It’s absolutely out of order,” she said. “We shouldn’t have to worry about who walks into the delivery room.” 

Jane helped create Shifrah UK, a network founded by Jewish midwives and doulas to connect Jewish families with Jewish birth workers and provide peer support. “Many Jewish doulas have left mainstream forums because of hostility online,” she said. 

BJ Woodstein, an author and doula who trained through a major UK provider, said Shifrah held its first session with NHS staff in October 2025, attended by 20 participants. She cited a case in which a Jewish couple were reported to social services after telling a midwife they intended to hold a bris. Pointing out that NHS staff often lack understanding of Jewish genetic testing and maternity customs, and that kosher food remains difficult to obtain in hospitals, she said, “I can’t recommend any one place as safe.” 

Three of the South African-connected interviewees said the birth world, known for “progressive” values, has become a particularly fraught environment for Jews. “We’ve been called ‘Zio baby killers’ in professional chats,” one said. “It’s shocking from people whose work is supposed to be about care.” 

They described an atmosphere in which antisemitism is frequently dismissed as political disagreement over Israel. Online networks that once offered collegial support, such as Doula UK or the international Physicians Mums Group, have had Jewish members depart after being targeted with anti-Jewish abuse. 

A senior NHS doctor who represents the Jewish Medical Association UK (JMA UK) said the trend is widespread. “We’ve received well over a hundred reports since 7 October, mostly from doctors being abused by colleagues in person or online,” she said. “The abuse ranges from coded anti-Zionist comments to explicit antisemitic language. In some cases, doctors post on social media about Britain being run by Jewish supremacists.” 

JMA UK has referred many cases to the General Medical Council (GMC), but few have reached resolution. “Investigations drag on for years, and only a handful have any restrictions,” the representative said. 

The association is pressing GMC and NHS regulators to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism to help distinguish political speech from hate speech. “The government supports this in principle, but adoption is voluntary,” she said. 

The doctor said the problem spans professions. “We hear about nurses, midwives, psychologists, and physiotherapists on both sides of the issue – as victims and as perpetrators,” she said. “Two colleagues have received death threats for criticising antisemitic behaviour.” 

On 16 October 2025, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting told the UK Parliament, “It’s unacceptable that many people, including those in the Jewish community, don’t feel safe working in or using the NHS.” He announced mandatory antisemitism and anti-racism training for all 1.5 million NHS staff, new uniform guidance, and an expectation that every NHS body adopt the IHRA definition. Prime Minister Keir Starmer ordered a system-wide review after “clear cases not dealt with adequately”, and allocated £10 million (R225.6 million) to implement the measures. NHS England has since instructed trusts to strengthen zero-tolerance policies and reporting systems. 

The announcements follow a series of high-profile disciplinary cases. A surgeon was erased from the medical register for antisemitic abuse on social media. Another doctor received only a formal warning after posting antisemitic messages, prompting condemnation from the British Medical Association and Jewish groups. A third case involved a trainee doctor whose conduct sparked calls for faster suspension procedures for practitioners accused of hate speech. 

The JMA UK welcomes the government’s steps but questions enforcement. “Training alone won’t fix culture,” the representative said. “We need transparency about outcomes and protection for whistle-blowers.” 

For Jewish healthcare professionals, the challenge is to balance visibility with safety. Kate said she was encouraged by an Israeli colleague to “stand her ground”, but eventually left her job. 

Jane keeps a small Magen David hidden under her uniform. “I’ll always be proud to be Jewish,” she said, “but I won’t risk my clients’ safety.” Gina said she continues to avoid discussing her religion at appointments, but feels reassured by her Jewish doula. 

Woodstein said the anxiety has persisted long after the initial shock of 7 October. “Jewish women still phone just to ask if hospitals are safe,” she said. “They want reassurance before they go in.” She said cost limits most families from turning to private care. “They can’t simply opt out of the NHS,” she said. “That’s why public hospitals must feel safe for everyone.” 

The JMA UK is working with the Health Department to monitor the new training programme and to persuade the GMC to publish regular data on antisemitism complaints. It also calls for explicit inclusion of antisemitism within NHS equality and diversity frameworks. 

Parliamentary debate drew cross-party support for tougher oversight. The NHS Race and Health Observatory stated that antisemitism “must be addressed with the same seriousness as all forms of racism”. Still, Jewish professionals remain cautious. “The culture has shifted,” said the JMA UK representative. “People feel emboldened to be openly antisemitic in ways we haven’t seen for years. Policy change has to be matched by accountability.” 

Kate said she hoped her experience wouldn’t deter others. “I want my daughter to feel proud to be Jewish in hospital,” she said. “But for now, she’ll feel safer surrounded by people who understand her.” 

As the NHS implements its new measures, South African Jews in the UK, from hospital radiographers to expectant mothers, will watch closely to see whether promises of zero tolerance translate into genuine safety and respect in the wards and clinics where they live and work. 

*Some names have been changed to protect professional and personal safety.