Pro-Palestine activists spread pamphlets condemning Mann antisemitism review for NHS - report

According to photos of the pamphlet shared by the Telegraph, the activists labeled the antisemitism training recommended by Mann's review as "pro-Israel indoctrination."

The pro-Palestinian activist group Global Health for Palestine distributed pamphlets at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, London, condemning the review by Lord John Mann on antisemitism in the National Health Service (NHS), The Telegraph reported on Saturday.

According to photos of the pamphlet shared by the Telegraph, the activists labeled the antisemitism training recommended by Mann's review as "pro-Israel indoctrination," described the IHRA definition of antisemitism as "discredited and hopelessly flawed," and called Mann's review racist after its author reportedly said that "antisemitism is the worst of the racisms."

The pamphlet also claimed that, under Mann's review's recommendations, NHS employees will not be allowed to have any Palestine colors, flags, or symbols in the workplace, including "badges, jewelry, socks, lanyards, accessories, scarves, phone covers, [and] screensavers."

It also claimed that all criticism of Israel, Zionism, "apartheid," or "the genocide" would be barred.

"The NHS plan is racist and divisive," the pamphlet read. "Scrap it now and let us tackle the scourge of racism in the NHS in an equitable way which recognizes that all forms of racism are equally harmful."

The pamphlet also alleged that "hundreds" of NHS workers have been "threatened, bullied, or victimized" for expressing solidarity with Palestine.

The activists called for health workers to discuss the issue with their trade union, for members of the public to complain to their local hospitals, and for both groups to sign a petition against Mann's review.

Lord Mann: NHS not place for 'extremist politicking'

In response to the pamphlets, Mann told the Telegraph that "The NHS isn’t a place for people’s extremist politicking and the public is entitled, as are all staff, to use the NHS without any hostility."

Mann added that “This should not be happening. People seeing this kind of thing won’t want to use the NHS, and we can’t have a bar on Jewish people, or anyone else, using the NHS. The country won’t have it.”

A Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said that their priority was "to ensure the Royal Free London is a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, and that patients, visitors, and members of staff feel respected and valued, regardless of their background or beliefs.

“Campaigning activity of any kind is not permitted on our premises, and as soon as we became aware of the leaflets being distributed, our security team asked the individuals involved to leave the site and the leaflets were destroyed.”

The chairman of Global Health for Palestine, Dr. Huda Mahmoud, said that the banning of Palestinian symbols was a form of cultural erasure.

“Once we begin the process of de-legitimizing forms of expression inherently tied to a person’s identity and culture – notably a culture that has just undergone and is striving to survive a genocide – where will this end?” Mahmoud argued.