British doctors forced to ‘hide their grief’ over Gaza assault

British doctors fear publicly talking or posting on social media about the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza could lead to them losing their jobs.

Medical workers who spoke to Middle East Eye said threats of being referred to the General Medical Council (GMC), guidelines set out by the Prevent anti-terrorism strategy, intimidation from the media, and statements made by the British government in support of Israel made them hesitant to speak up.

Among those who spoke to MEE’s Areeb Ullah were Palestinian doctors who said they had been “forced to hide their grief” in case colleagues or the public sent a complaint to the GMC.

“It hurt when I received a letter from the hospital trust’s chief executive when it said they ‘mourned the loss of civilian life in Israel and the surrounding areas’ like we don’t exist,” said Hana al-Nour, a London-based doctor.

“That phrase ‘surrounding areas’ really hit me, and at the time, I was hesitant to say anything, but given the hospital bombing, the killing of doctors, and everything that’s transpired since, as healthcare workers who work in this space, surely we should be addressing this head-on.”

Mohamed Amir echoed Nour’s disappointment and said many doctors felt “hopeless”, especially since many hospitals hosted fundraisers for Ukraine when war broke out there last year.

“That kind of contrast makes you question the difference between that conflict and this one,” said Amir.

Read more: UK medical staff forced to 'hide their grief' over Gaza assault