A British rights group, Right to Protest, has issued a press statement announcing that Dr Ranjeet Brar, a vascular surgeon, is bringing a judicial review to challenge the misuse of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism by public bodies – notable among them is King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
On 6th April 2026, Dr Ranjeet Brar, was suspended by the Trust following his speech at a memorial for the 186 children killed in a school strike in Minab, Iran. In that speech, he criticised Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the policies of the Israeli, US and British governments.
Shortly after, Dr Ranjeet Brar was suspended from work. Dr Brar believes the IHRA definition of antisemitism was used against him to effect his suspension. Dr Brar is one of many who have been penalised for making public statements against Israel.
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The Right to Protest said this is not an isolated incident. “Across the NHS, universities, and other public bodies, a non-statutory definition is being weaponised to silence lawful political speech against the State of Israel. Criticism of Israel is being mischaracterised as hate. Hate crime laws are being applied to protect Israel. Healthcare professionals, academics, and citizens who speak critically about Israel or express solidarity with Palestinians face disciplinary threats, censorship, and the destruction of their careers.”
