The British Medical Association (BMA) has voted to abandon the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, arguing that its use has created a ‘chilling effect’ on free expression within the NHS.
At the BMA’s annual conference on Tuesday, delegates backed the motion calling for greater protection for healthcare workers facing disciplinary action over political views relating to international conflicts, including Palestine. The BMA also urged NHS bodies to assess the impact of workplace policies on staff freedom of expression.
The vote comes amid growing opposition to a government-backed review that recommends mandatory antisemitism training for NHS staff and tighter restrictions on political expression in the workplace. Under the IHRA definition, the measures risk conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism and could be used to suppress advocacy for Palestinian rights.
The IHRA definition was initially adopted by NHS in October 2025.
Since the start of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, a number of NHS workers have faced investigations, disciplinary action, and suspensions over expressions of support for Palestine.
