A British NHS doctor has been given a 15-month suspension pending an investigation into her alleged anti-Semitic social media posts. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) has ruled that Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, a trainee in trauma and orthopaedics, must remain off the job while authorities investigate further.
The General Medical Council (GMC) has been probing Dr Aladwan over content she posted across various social media platforms, including comments that allegedly justify terrorism, deny sexual violence, and promote antisemitic conspiracy theories. Critics argue her posts express support for terrorist acts, Hamas, and Palestine Action, while also misusing Holocaust imagery.
Dr Aladwan's lawyers claim the posts were part of legitimate political speech and debate, but critics say they show a serious disregard for patient safety and trust in healthcare services. The GMC has found "no information to suggest that Dr Aladwan presents a real and immediate risk to patients."
The suspension comes as tensions over antisemitism in British medicine continue to escalate. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has called for reforms, citing the current system's failure to protect Jewish patients and staff.
Since September, when an initial MPTS hearing was held, authorities had gathered more evidence about Dr Aladwan's posts. This new information led a tribunal chair, Lee Davies, to rule that her alleged conduct "may impact on patient confidence" – a finding that has led to the suspension of 15 months.
As part of this suspension, Dr Aladwan will remain off the job for 15 months while authorities investigate further and review the case in six months. Her lawyers have vowed to challenge this decision, stating there is no evidence suggesting she poses an immediate risk to patient safety.
Dr Aladwan, 31, has been a British Palestinian trainee in trauma and orthopaedics. The GMC investigation and subsequent suspension raise concerns about medical professionals' freedom of expression rights versus their professional obligations.
The General Medical Council (GMC) has been probing Dr Aladwan over content she posted across various social media platforms, including comments that allegedly justify terrorism, deny sexual violence, and promote antisemitic conspiracy theories. Critics argue her posts express support for terrorist acts, Hamas, and Palestine Action, while also misusing Holocaust imagery.
Dr Aladwan's lawyers claim the posts were part of legitimate political speech and debate, but critics say they show a serious disregard for patient safety and trust in healthcare services. The GMC has found "no information to suggest that Dr Aladwan presents a real and immediate risk to patients."
The suspension comes as tensions over antisemitism in British medicine continue to escalate. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has called for reforms, citing the current system's failure to protect Jewish patients and staff.
Since September, when an initial MPTS hearing was held, authorities had gathered more evidence about Dr Aladwan's posts. This new information led a tribunal chair, Lee Davies, to rule that her alleged conduct "may impact on patient confidence" – a finding that has led to the suspension of 15 months.
As part of this suspension, Dr Aladwan will remain off the job for 15 months while authorities investigate further and review the case in six months. Her lawyers have vowed to challenge this decision, stating there is no evidence suggesting she poses an immediate risk to patient safety.
Dr Aladwan, 31, has been a British Palestinian trainee in trauma and orthopaedics. The GMC investigation and subsequent suspension raise concerns about medical professionals' freedom of expression rights versus their professional obligations.
This whole thing is just so messed up... I mean, I get that as a doctor you're supposed to be unbiased and professional, but at the same time can't we just have a more nuanced conversation about these issues? 
Dr Aladwan's social media posts are definitely problematic, no doubt about it. But do 15 months of suspension really feel like the right response? 
I mean, isn't she still allowed to express her opinions, even if they're unpopular or offend some people? It feels like we're trying to silence dissenting voices rather than having a more open and honest discussion. 
And what about the context - was Dr Aladwan really promoting terrorism, or was she just expressing support for the Palestinian cause? 
These questions need to be explored further before we can say that she's a threat to patient safety. 
A doctor suspended for her social media posts... like what even is that? 
What about all the patients she'd be missing out on helping? And yeah, I know the GMC says no info suggests she poses an immediate risk to patients, but what if she does?! 
Also, it's weird how this is happening right when tensions over antisemitism are escalating... like, isn't there already enough going on?! 
. I think they should've at least given her a chance to explain herself before making such drastic decisions. It's like we're losing sight of what's really important here – providing quality healthcare to those who need it most 
.
. whats even more sus is that her lawyers r tryin 2 spin this as legit political speak lol, meanwhile ppl in the jewish community r still shakin with fear 
. its like, yeah okay doc u got free speech rights, but thats not an excuse 4 denyin sexual violence or supportin terrorism 
. gotta keep pushin 4 more reforms tho 
. And honestly, I don't think 15 months is a long enough suspension... how about some real accountability? 
. The fact that she has no evidence of posing an immediate risk to patients but still lost her job just feels so unfair 
. Can't we find a way to balance free speech with professionalism without being too harsh? 
. I mean, Dr. Aladwan is being taken down for these posts, but are we really sure she's the one who's so bad? Like, shouldn't we be having a bigger conversation about free speech and what's considered "anti-Semitic" in the first place? This feels like a slippery slope to me... next thing you know, they'll be suspending docs for commenting on Twitter 
. And don't even get me started on how this is going to affect her life - 15 months off, that's a huge chunk of time... what about the patients who need her care during that time? It's just so frustrating when we're trying to have nuanced conversations about complex issues, but everyone gets so caught up in outrage mode 
. The idea that her posts might "impact on patient confidence" seems like a weak excuse to me 
.
. And what's even more disturbing is that her lawyers are trying to spin this as "legitimate political speech" and debate 
. What about the long-term damage this can cause? Patients who might be offended or scared by these posts won't just forget about them 
. And I really hope that Wes Streeting gets those reforms done ASAP 
. We need to protect patients and staff from hate speech in hospitals, pronto! 
i swear it's so good they use this crazy vegan cheese that's like, literally made from nuts or something... anyway back to the news... i mean, i get why they're investigating her posts but 15 months is a bit harsh don't you think? what do you guys think about freedom of speech in the workplace? 
for some super concerning antisemitic posts online. I'm all for free speech, but this is a whole different story 
it's not like she's hurting anyone with her tweets... or so it seems 
. and let's be real, the GMC is kinda overzealous here 
to me.