Hands Off Our Health Workers
We will not be silent about the genocide in Palestine. Defending the right of NHS workers to speak out.
What is happening?
Last October the government announced a plan “to take urgent action to tackle antisemitism and other forms of racism in the NHS”. On 4 June 2026 Lord Mann published his official review, and the government accepted all of its recommendations. Behind that framing sits a set of measures that would silence all 1.5 million NHS workers over Palestine.
- No Palestine symbols or colours will be allowed: no badges, jewellery, socks, lanyards, scarves, phone covers or screen savers, and no signs or posters in clinical or workplace meetings.
- No speech criticising apartheid, the genocide, Israel or Zionism will be tolerated.
- “Enhanced antisemitism training” will be made part of mandatory core skills training for everyone.
- The discredited IHRA definition of antisemitism will be made standard in HR departments and staff handbooks across the NHS, despite a High Court ruling that substantially weakens its legal standing.
- Lord Mann’s official review of how NHS employers and regulators deal with antisemitism and other racism was published on 4 June 2026, and the government has accepted all of its recommendations, including new national guidance on uniforms and NHS-issued equipment. Lord Mann says antisemitism is “the worst of racisms”.
The impact on staff and patients
Hundreds of NHS workers have already been threatened, bullied or victimised by management for expressing solidarity with Palestine, or support for the nurses and doctors killed or tortured by the Israeli military in Gaza. Palestinian health workers who have lost family members in the genocide have been ordered to remove a small pin badge because it might “upset” someone. A climate of fear over Palestine now hangs over the NHS.
The plan is also an attack on patients. Thousands of hours of clinical time have been lost from front-line NHS services as a result of the emotional trauma of this witch-hunt against staff. Waiting times for treatment and tests have increased and continuity of care has been disrupted. Patient care is being sacrificed to silence criticism of the government’s support for Israel’s genocide.
Take Action
Sign the Petition
Health workers and members of the public: tell the government to scrap the plan and stop targeting health workers who stand up against genocide and for human rights.
Pass a Motion in Your Union Branch
Health workers: take our model motion to your local union branch, agree policy on this, and stand together with your colleagues to defend each other. Adapt it as necessary.
Write to Your NHS Trust or GP
Patients and the public have a powerful voice in the NHS. Use online feedback, or write a formal complaint to your local hospital or NHS service telling them to reject the plan. Our guide includes two example letters, but it is always better to write in your own words.
Download the Leaflet
Print and share the campaign leaflet with colleagues, in your union branch, and in your workplace. Wear Palestine colours or a badge when you attend the clinic or GP: don’t let them make Palestine invisible in the NHS.
Background Reading
- Purging Palestinian solidarity from the NHS – the full statement by Doctors in Unite responding to the government’s plan (Word)
- The IHRA definition and the weaponisation of antisemitism – why the definition is not fit for purpose (Word)
- Video: Kernow Damo reviews the government’s plan (YouTube)
Keep up to date
Let us know if you’ve written to your trust, passed a motion, or want to get involved.
Email: handsoffourhealthworkers@proton.me
Instagram: @globalhealthbdsforpalestine
Links: linktr.ee/GHBDSforPal