UK rights group challenges NHS over IHRA antisemitism definition

A British civil liberties group has launched a legal challenge against England's National Health Service (NHS) after it formally adopted a contested definition of antisemitism that many say risks curbing lawful criticism of Israel.

The organisation Right to Protest filed a judicial review application on 19 January against NHS England, arguing that the health service adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism without public consultation or adequate consideration of freedom of expression.

The group says the decision undermines protections under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998, which safeguards the right to freedom of speech.

"The IHRA definition is being applied in ways that blur the line between legitimate political speech and racism," RTP said in a statement.

"Medical staff who raise ethical concerns about Israel's actions are increasingly treated as potential offenders rather than professionals acting in good faith," the statement said.

It added that criticism of a state was being "mischaracterised as hate", placing careers, reputations and wellbeing at risk, and warned that the policy could discourage open discussion of human rights issues within public institutions.

The IHRA definition has been widely criticised by civil liberties groups, academics and human rights advocates for blurring the distinction between "antisemitism" and legitimate political criticism of Israel.

Critics, including Doctors in Unite and British Committee for the Universities of Palestine, called it "weaponising antisemitism", entrenching bias with a chilling effect on pro-Palestinian advocacy and debate over Israel's policies.

While the definition states that criticism of Israel is not automatically antisemitic, critics point out that seven of its 11 illustrative examples focus explicitly on Israel, creating ambiguity over what constitutes permissible speech.

They also argue that the accompanying examples risk conflating opposition to Zionism or Israeli state policy with hostility towards Jewish people, making it harder to criticise Israel without fear of sanction.

NHS England adopted the IHRA definition on 16 October 2025 following a request from the UK's health secretary, Wes Streeting.

Streeting also publicly called for restrictions on NHS staff wearing uniforms at political protests and displaying pro-Palestinian symbols while at work, moves that have drawn concern from rights groups and medical professionals.

The next stage of the case will see a High Court judge review the written submissions to determine whether the claim is arguable and should proceed to a full hearing.