NHS doctor keeps job after she is accused of calling Hamas 'martyrs'

An NHS doctor who allegedly called Hamas "martyrs" and celebrated the horrific October 7 attack is allowed to continue working, a tribunal has ruled. Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, who also allegedly denied the Holocaust, was under investigation for her online posts after the General Medical Council sought restrictions.

However, the trauma and orthopaedics physician had the request rejected by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service on Thursday. The doctor reportedly posted on her large social media account that antisemitism and the Holocaust were "concepts" exploited to further a "narrative of victimhood". Posts allegedly from the account also say: "I will never condemn October 7," and reject evidence of the brutal sexual assaults which took place. The account, with 35,000 followers, also called two Palestinian attackers who murdered six people on a bus in Jerusalem "martyrs".

Other online activity allegedly shows the account promoting the theory that Israeli intelligence killed Charlie Kirk earlier this month.

However, the tribunal ruled that there is insufficient evidence to prove the doctor poses a danger or threat to patients she treats, or that continuing in her role would damage public trust in the NHS. The panel added that the doctor's online activity did not constitute "bullying or harassment".

GMC counsel Isobel Thomas argued that Jewish patients would not feel safe receiving treatment while in her care.

The doctor defended her posts in the trial, claiming that they are "legitimate and can be defended and reasoned".

Tom Gillie, representing Dr Aladwan, also argued that her posts fell under free speech protections and that his client had the right to express her views.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has since condemned the decision, writing on X that language about "Jewish supremacy" echoed Nazi ideology, which was not in line with NHS principles.

He wrote: "I fail to see how medics using such language with impunity doesn't undermine confidence in the medical profession. I have no confidence in our regulation system."

When leaving the Manchester tribunal, the doctor was met with a group of supporters who were cheering and waving Palestine flags.

She addressed the crowd and said she hopes the decision will encourage other healthcare professionals to "speak up".