British hospital removes anti-Israel hall posters after outcry

The hate-filled placards in University College London Hospital frightened a Jewish patient.

By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News

A British hospital removed several anti-Israel posters from its hallways last week and apologized for their presence to the legal group that lodged a complaint about them on behalf of a Jewish patient.

The woman who saw them had been in University College London Hospital (UCLH) undergoing medical tests, UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) said in a statement Sunday.

She contacted the group, telling them she felt angered, “vulnerable and scared” after reading their contents, and was “grateful that no one knew she is Jewish,” the organization said.

“I’m an outpatient, but God forbid in other circumstances to feel so vulnerable already and be surrounded by hostility would be so scary,” UK Lawyers for Israel quoted her as saying. “I shouldn’t have to remove my Star of David necklace to go to a hospital visit.”

The group immediately contacted the trust in charge of the hospital.

Trust CEO David Probert said the hospital had taken prompt action.

“All the posters were removed without delay,” he responded to the group. In addition, “senior members of staff conducted a walk-around to ensure no further posters remained.”

The department’s newsletter, he continued, addressed the issue, “reminding staff of the Trust’s policy against displaying political messages and encouraging vigilance in identifying and removing any similar materials. Security personnel have also been instructed to remain alert.”

Probert also expressed regret over the incident, writing: “I would like to apologise on behalf of UCLH for the distress and upset caused by these posters. At UCLH, we value diversity and inclusivity, and we are committed to providing a fair and non-discriminatory service to all individuals, regardless of background.”

The A4-sized pages had accused Israel of “starving and killing Palestinians in Gaza” and “slaughter[ing]” children “beyond measure.”

“Zionism is Poison,” they said, asking for people to learn what was going on from extremist Instagram accounts such as eye.on.palestine so they could then “influence the system and government” against the Jewish state.

“Free Palestine. End Zionism,” they concluded.

UKLFI Director Caroline Turner said the lawyers were pleased at the quick response, since everyone should “feel comfortable and safe” when receiving medical care.

“UCLH is a major London hospital, frequented by people from all of London’s diverse communities, but it’s particularly close to major north London Jewish communities,” Turner noted.

“We welcome UCLH’s prompt, proactive and constructive engagement with this issue,” she said. “UCLH’s actions will help preserve dignity, equality, neutrality and respect within [National Health Service] spaces, particularly for Jewish patients seeking medical care.”