NHS trust Pro-Palestine nurses accused of mistreating Jewish boy

Pro Palestine nurses wearing pro-Palestine badges at NHS trust in Manchester, England, were accused of mistreating a Jewish child. The allegation claims that a Jewish boy was ordered by the Pro Palestine nurses to get off a bed and sit on the floor.

According to the boy's family, the nine-year-old, who was wearing his kippah skullcap, was "kicked out of his bay" at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital where he was being treated and "had to lie on the floor with a cannula in".

The family further alleges that when they took him to the hospital without any visible indication of his Jewish faith, he received quick care, leading them to fear he will receive inferior treatment if they reveal his faith.

In a poignant social media post, the boy's uncle questioned, "Is it 1940 again?", expressing the fear of being a Jew in the world once more.

In response to a complaint from the family, the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region called for an extreme urgency investigation into the allegation. The trust managing the hospital stated that it is rapidly investigating the matter.

Against a backdrop of record levels of reported anti-Semitic incidents in the UK last year, with 4,103 incidents recorded by the Community Security Trust charity — two-thirds of them since October 7 — Israeli forces have come under intense scrutiny for their repeated raids on hospitals in Gaza, including recent actions.

Israeli authorities maintain that these raids are precision operations aimed at targeting terrorists who are allegedly using medical buildings as cover.

Sharing images of his nephew first on a hospital bed and then on the floor in an online post yesterday, the boy's uncle — originally from Britain but now residing in Israel — expressed that the incident made his blood boil.

"As a religious Jewish family, my nephew proudly wears his black Kippa (yamulka, religious hat, whatever you want to call it) and his tzitzit. Not today. Why, you ask? The nurses (NHS employees) are all walking around wearing 'Free Palestine' pins, and he was scared."

"Beyond that, the last few times he went in, he was denied correct medical care by the same couple of nurses every time."

The uncle recounted that on his nephew's last visit to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (RMCH), he was "kicked out of his bay by one of the nurses who was covered in Pro-Palestine badges and stickers, and due to that, had to lie on the floor with a cannula in".

"Now the damage is done, and my proudly Jewish nephew (and his parents) is scared to not get treatment if he wears his Kippa and tzitzit", he added.

"Coincidentally, today when not visibly Jewish, he received quick care. Also worth noting, prior to the conflict he received excellent care."

"Is this the world we will live in? Is it 1940 again? It is terrifying to be a Jew in the world again."

The uncle emphasized that "public medical healthcare professionals shouldn't be wearing political pins that make people/children scared, nervous, worry".

Urging people to share his post, he concluded that "Maybe, just maybe, we can make a difference, and another kid doesn't have to endure this."

In light of the serious allegation, Marc Levy, Chief Executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region, has written to RMCH Chief Executive Stephen Dickson, requesting that the family's claims be investigated as a matter of extreme urgency.

"They allege that this child, who is a religious Jew and clearly visible as such, was mistreated by several nurses who were wearing Free Palestine badges in the outpatients department..." Mr. Levy wrote.

"Part of this mistreatment includes a failure to administer proper treatment and being removed from his cubicle and having to sit on the floor."

"This child now feels terrified to return to hospital unless he hides his Jewish identity."

His letter add that "This is naturally hugely concerning that a Jewish family have been targeted due to the conflict in the Middle East."

"We are sure you will agree that it is imperative all patients are treated the same irrespective of their race or religion."

"This could have catastrophic repercussions for the Jewish community if they were to feel that they are not safe attending your hospital."

Mr. Levy also inquired about the trust's policy regarding NHS staff wearing political statements like pro-Palestine badges on their uniforms, expressing concern that this practice could make Jewish patients feel "intimidated and unsure if they will receive equal and correct treatment. This is unacceptable."

The letter was publicly shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, and copies were sent to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, MP Lucy Powell, and Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig.

A spokesperson for the Community Security Trust said, "These allegations are very serious. We urge the hospital to urgently investigate them and take appropriate action."

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which operates RMCH, stated, "We are aware of images and very serious claims which are circulating on social media. We are rapidly investigating these to establish the situation and are discussing them with the family involved."

"Royal Manchester Children's Hospital is committed to providing high-quality care to all of their patients."