NHS consultants accused of endorsing attacks in inflammatory social media posts

Four NHS doctors have been accused of sharing social media content that appeared to celebrate or justify terrorist attacks against Jewish people, prompting renewed concern about antisemitism within the health service.

The posts were identified during an investigation by the Campaign Against Antisemitism and included material relating to the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023 and the attack on Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester in October 2025.

Dr Mohamed Saad Rashad, a consultant ophthalmologist at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals in Surrey, was reported to have reposted images of Hamas fighters using motorised paragliders on the day of the October 2023 attacks. The original post described the scenes as “creativity” and included heart emojis.

Another consultant was reported to have shared material describing armed action against Israel as justified, alongside a translated message calling for military, financial and political support for Palestinian “resistance”.

Dr Jawad Azhar, a gastroenterology and acute medicine consultant at Good Hope Hospital in Birmingham, was accused of sharing a video following the Heaton Park Synagogue attack in which a child discussed taking revenge. Dr Azhar reportedly captioned the post: “This is how freedom fighters are born.”

Dr Sajid Aslam, an NHS consultant who previously worked for the Isle of Man Government and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, was also accused of publishing offensive comments about Zionists.

The allegations concern the doctors’ activity outside clinical settings, and the reported material does not establish that any patient received discriminatory treatment. However, campaigners argue that public statements by medical professionals can damage trust among Jewish patients and colleagues.

The claims emerge amid wider scrutiny of how antisemitism and other forms of racism are handled across healthcare. A government-commissioned review led by Lord John Mann previously concluded that Jewish staff and patients had experienced discrimination and hostility within the NHS.

The Government accepted the review’s recommendations and pledged action to strengthen reporting, training and accountability. NHS England has said hatred and discriminatory behaviour have no place in the health service and that patients and staff must be able to feel safe, respected and welcome.

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