WALL OF SHAME

Comprehensive Glossary of Groups, Individuals, and Politicians Involved in Censorship of Pro-Palestine NHS Staff

This list details the actions and controversies of groups, individuals, and political actors who have been cited in reports regarding their work to challenge or censor the expression of pro-Palestinian sentiment among UK NHS staff, particularly in relation to the denial of genocide allegations. We will continue to add to this list as time goes on. 

 

Individuals and Public Commentators

 

1. Melanie Phillips (Journalist, Commentator)

  • Actions on Censorship: Uses her prominent column (e.g., The Times) and broadcasts (BBC Question Time) to advance a strong pro-Israel narrative. She argues the concept of "Islamophobia is a bogus label" used to "silence criticism of the Islamic world," actively contributing to the hostile environment faced by Muslim and Arab healthcare workers who speak out.

  • Controversies / Stance on Genocide: Genocide Denial and Historical Revisionism: Explicitly argues against the narrative of Palestinian nationhood, claiming "there is no such thing as the Palestinians." Was criticised for publically claiming Israel was not denying aid to Gaza, citing unsubstantiated online videos. She asserts that it is Israel who faces a genocidal threat.

2. Tracy-Ann Oberman (Actor, Commentator)

  • Actions on Censorship: Used her large public platform to falsely accuse an academic and pro-Palestinian advocate, Dr. Philip Proudfoot, of running a "Jew blocklist." This high-profile case created professional risk, illustrating the tactic of using false antisemitism claims to silence opponents.

  • Controversies / Stance on Genocide: Paid substantial damages and legal costs to the academic after the claim was proven false, highlighting the consequence of weaponising antisemitism allegations to shut down criticism of Israel's policies.

3. David Collier (Investigative Journalist/Blogger)

  • Actions on Censorship: Cited as an "Israel lobby blogger" who engages in trawling the online activity and photographing pro-Palestinian activists and figures. His methods are intended to intimidate and gather material for complaints, contributing to the pool of information used for the regulatory targeting of NHS staff.

  • Controversies / Stance on Genocide: His work is focused on challenging the legitimacy of the pro-Palestinian narrative, including the assertion of genocide, by linking it to what he views as extremism and anti-Israel bias in UK institutions.

4. Robert Rinder MBE (TV Personality, Barrister)

  • Actions on Censorship: Has publicly advocated for legal and activist groups to use "legal tools" to hold people accountable for what he terms anti-Jewish racism tied to the conflict, reinforcing the narrative that strong pro-Palestinian sentiment poses an "existential threat" and must be legally challenged in professional and public spheres.

  • Controversies / Stance on Genocide: His public statements encourage the professional establishment to view the moral opposition of NHS staff to Israel's actions as a form of hatred requiring disciplinary action.

 

Political Lobby Groups & Umbrella Bodies

 

5. UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI)

  • Actions on Censorship: The Primary Lawfare Group: Uses legal threats citing the Equality Act 2010 to force NHS trusts (including Barts, Royal Free, Chelsea and Westminster, and Imperial College Healthcare) to enact bans on pro-Palestinian political symbols (badges, watermelons, flags). Their actions are the direct cause of new, restrictive policies and led to disciplinary threats against staff.

  • Controversies / Stance on Genocide: Dismissal and Opposition: Actively counters the narrative of genocide, filing complaints against international figures (ICC prosecutor) and UN officials who use the term.

6. GnasherJew

  • Actions on Censorship: An online monitoring group whose rapid identification and public exposure of NHS staff's pro-Palestinian comments leads to a high volume of formal complaints being lodged with the GMC, creating a systemic chilling effect and leading to investigations and suspensions.

  • Controversies / Stance on Genocide: Their core activity involves aggressively combating anti-Zionist sentiment by seeking to conflate it with antisemitism, thereby seeking to delegitimise criticism of Israel's military actions and the genocide claim.

7. Jewish Medical Association (JMA)

  • Actions on Censorship: Has dramatically increased the number of formal complaints submitted to the GMC, detailing alleged antisemitism and political displays by NHS colleagues that have caused Jewish staff and patients to feel intimidated.

  • Controversies / Stance on Genocide: Contributes to the pressure on the medical establishment to adopt a position of "political neutrality" that effectively curtails pro-Palestinian speech.

8. Board of Deputies of British Jews (BoD) & Jewish Leadership Council (JLC)

  • Actions on Censorship: High-Level Policy Influence: Lobbying government and institutions to enforce policies that equate anti-Zionism with antisemitism (via the IHRA definition), providing the high-level justification for NHS executives to apply censorship.

  • Controversies / Stance on Genocide: Opposition to Ceasefire/Genocide Claim: Actively opposes parliamentary motions for a ceasefire and backs the government's official position that it cannot conclude Israel is committing genocide.

9. Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) & Labour Friends of Israel (LFI)

  • Actions on Censorship: Political Influence: These powerful parliamentary lobby groups fund trips and cultivate deep ties with MPs across both major parties. This access limits political criticism of Israel and reinforces a political consensus that allows pro-Israel lobby groups like UKLFI to exert disproportionate influence on public bodies like the NHS without significant government challenge.

  • Controversies / Stance on Genocide: Their main function is to ensure unwavering support for Israel within British politics, which entails systematically dismissing or rejecting accusations of war crimes and genocide as baseless or biased.

 

Political and NHS Management Actors

 

10. Wes Streeting MP (Shadow Health Secretary)

  • Actions on Censorship: The legal team for a pro-Palestinian doctor raised "Serious Concerns" over Streeting's comments in relation to her GMC investigation. This suggests that senior political figures are publicly or privately pressuring the medical regulatory body to investigate and censure doctors over their political views on Israel.

11. Dr. Amanjit Jhund (CEO, Whipps Cross University Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust)

  • Actions on Censorship: Directly responsible for enacting the censorship policy at his hospital under pressure from UKLFI. He threatened disciplinary action against a Palestinian nurse for displaying a picture of a watermelon in a virtual meeting background, classifying a symbol of Palestinian heritage as a political breach.

12. Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust & Whittington Health NHS Trust

  • Actions on Censorship: These Trusts have been the sites of direct censorship. The Royal Free pledged to consider "appropriate action" after UKLFI complained about a surgeon wearing a Palestine flag badge. Whittington Health suspended an employee following an investigation into social media posts, illustrating a pattern of institutional response to complaints about pro-Palestinian expression.