The National Jewish Assembly (NJA) strongly condemns Dr Mary McCarthy, President of the British Medical Association (BMA), for her reprehensible reposting of antisemitic content and demands decisive action from both the BMA and regulatory bodies. Such behaviour is an absolute disgrace and profoundly undermines trust in the integrity of the UK’s medical leadership.
Dr McCarthy’s reposting of incendiary statements—such as equating the war in Gaza to a “Holocaust”—and her amplification of accounts known for antisemitic propaganda reveal not only ignorance but also a blatant disregard for Jewish concerns. This conduct is utterly incompatible with her role as a healthcare leader, where impartiality and integrity are paramount.
Gary Mond, Chairman of the NJA, stated: “Dr McCarthy’s reposting of antisemitic material is abhorrent and a stain on the BMA’s reputation. The fact that she occupies such a prominent role within a body representing 190,000 doctors makes this all the more concerning. The BMA must act swiftly to remove Dr McCarthy from her position and send a clear message that such behaviour is wholly unacceptable.”
Steve Winston, Managing Director of the NJA, added: “Antisemitism has no place in any professional setting, let alone within the medical community. The language and posts shared by Dr McCarthy reflect a deep rot that must be rooted out. How can patients, particularly Jewish patients, trust someone who appears to endorse hateful rhetoric? The silence and inaction that have allowed antisemitism to fester in institutions like the BMA must end immediately.”
The NJA welcomes Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s call for a “zero-tolerance approach” to racism and urges the BMA, the General Medical Council, and all relevant authorities to follow through with disciplinary measures. This situation underscores a broader issue of antisemitism infiltrating professional institutions under the guise of political activism.
The NJA stands in solidarity with Jewish healthcare professionals and patients who are rightly outraged and deeply unsettled by this incident. There can be no room for hate, and those who perpetuate it must face the full weight of accountability.
