Around 95% of Jewish healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the UK have reported that a rise in antisemitism has negatively affected their mental and emotional wellbeing.
This is according to a new survey of Jewish healthcare practitioners carried out in collaboration with Alpha Omega – a Jewish dental association – in light of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Other findings include:
- Almost three quarters (73%) of the 293 respondents had experienced at least one antisemitic episode since the attacks
- The source of antisemitic incidents for 70% of these professionals is within their own healthcare circles
- Around 44% are either modifying or contemplating changes to their professional activities as a direct consequence to the increase in antisemitism
- Only 15% of respondents who had reported an antisemitic incident at work felt it was appropriately managed.
Need for action
Dr Joseph Greenwall-Cohen, who led the survey, said: ‘Whilst there are many supportive colleagues and environments, trust and collaboration within a healthcare team is paramount.
‘To think that less than a third of us feel safe around our colleagues is a testament to the severity of anti-Jewish racism at this present time and highlights the need for this to be resolved urgently.
‘It’s important to emphasise that this isn’t an isolated or minor issue but rather a widespread concern affecting a significant portion of Jewish HCPs and without acknowledging the scale, effective counter measures cannot be implemented. Now is the time for tolerance, kindness and professionalism across all work settings.’
Professor David Katz, executive chair the Jewish Medical Association UK, added: ‘Given the rise in anti-Jewish racism over the past few weeks, a key question to ask now is how does this affect the interaction of the UK Jewish community within the society in which they live and work?
‘Also when and how will the UK’s healthcare system devise strategies to combat this unacceptable form of harmful discrimination?”
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