NHS neurologist hails Hamas leader a ‘legend’ in string of anti-Semitic hate online
A consultant neurologist who has worked in the NHS for 21 years praised the previous leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar – dubbing him a “legend.”
Dr Rehiana Ali has shared several conspiracy theories and anti-Jewish rhetoric on her social media, including reposting claims that the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad was behind 9/11.
She also denied atrocities committed by Hamas, celebrated Israeli deaths and speculated upon the conspiracy theory that Israel harvests human organs.
Most recently she shared a statement from Holocaust denier, David Irving.
The Jewish News contacted Ali for comment on her statements.
She replied asking a string of questions including: “What is the nature of your readership? Are they normal human beings or are they extremist in their outlook? What’s the nature of your relationship with Israel? What’s the source of your funding for Jewish News?”
She also asked what proportion of the Jewish News’ readership had served in the IDF -which she referred to as the “IOF” (Israel Occupation Force) – and if they had dual Israeli citizenship.
This comes as another NHS doctor was found to be part of the Hizb ut-Tahrir Islamist group, proscribed as a terror organisation by the UK in January.
Dr Wahid Asif Shaida, nicknamed “Jihad GP” worked as a family doctor in Harrow, North London for over 20 years.
He led anti-Israel protests where there were shouts of “jihad” and called the October 7 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel “a welcome punch on the nose.”
He was temporarily suspended but the NHS lifted his suspension due to “insufficient evidence to suspend him permanently as unfair for medical practice.”
The NHS has faced controversy this past year for allegations of antisemitism from staff.
Earlier this month the Jewish News along with social media account @GnasherJew exposed a string of antisemitic posts from several health workers.
These included a pathologist who tweeted: “Dead and/or suffering Israelis are the only thing that brightens the day” and a doctor at Northwick Park Hospital who posted on Facebook writing “Die Juden sind unsere Ungluck” (“the Jews are our misfortune” in German).
It comes as several NHS hospitals have also come under scrutiny for turning a blind eye to staff wearing “Free Palestine” pins and clothing, which made Jewish and Israeli patients deeply uncomfortable.
In response to the investigation by the Jewish News, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “There’s no place for antisemitism in our NHS.”
“It is right that action has been taken against some individuals revealed by the Jewish News and we would expect NHSE and the GMC to take action against anyone working in the NHS who promotes hatred against Jewish people.”