A Jewish patient at University College London Hospital (UCLH) described feeling “vulnerable and scared” after discovering posters plastered on the walls declaring: “Zionism is poison.”
The signs, which were later taken down, accused Israel of committing atrocities in Gaza. They read: “Israel is starving and killing Palestinians in Gaza. Children are being slaughtered beyond measure. We have a voice, they don’t. We are the generation that can influence the system and government.”
The posters continued with a call to action, stating: “Please do your own research and come to your own conclusions. Do not let the mainstream media influence you. It is poison. Zionism is Poison. People are being killed.”
UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), a legal advocacy group, was informed about the situation by a patient at the hospital, who said she felt deeply unsettled by what she encountered. The patient explained, “I’m an outpatient, but God forbid [those] in other circumstances to feel so vulnerable already and be surrounded by hostility. [It would be] so scary. I shouldn’t have to remove my Star of David necklace to go to a hospital visit.”
After being contacted by UKLFI, UCLH staff immediately removed the posters and issued reminders to employees that political messaging of any kind is not permitted on hospital grounds.
Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI, commended the hospital’s swift action, saying: “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. Irrespective of their background, any person must feel comfortable and safe in a hospital setting.”
She added: “We welcome UCLH’s prompt, proactive and constructive engagement with this issue. UCLH’s actions will help preserve dignity, equality, neutrality and respect within NHS spaces, particularly for Jewish patients seeking medical care.”
David Probert, Chief Executive of UCLH, also issued a public apology, stating: “Firstly, 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.”
Probert said that as soon as UKLFI contacted the hospital, he “promptly made internal inquiries and was informed that [they] were initially noticed last week… and all the posters were removed without delay.”
He further explained that senior hospital officials carried out a walk-through to ensure no additional posters remained on display. “Additionally, the department’s newsletter addressed the incident, 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.”
{Matzav.com}
London has become a Muslim stronghold. They sure have what to be scared.