On Tuesday (24/06), the below resolutions passed in full at 2025 Annual Representative Meeting in Liverpool. 

Motion by TOWER HAMLETS DIVISION: That this meeting believes that criticism of the actions of the state of Israel is not per se antisemitic.

Responding, a BMA spokesperson said: “Antisemitism is completely unacceptable. There is no place for it in the BMA, NHS, or wider society and we condemn antisemitism in the strongest possible terms.

“Doctors and medical students in the UK and around the world are horrified by the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded during the Middle East conflict, with the devastating loss of civilian life and in particular, the attacks on healthcare workers and healthcare facilities in Gaza.

“Doctors and medical students understandably want, and should be able to, legitimately challenge the actions of states and armed forces without being unfairly accused of any kind of discrimination, especially when healthcare is under threat. This motion speaks to the frustration of our members who feel that they are currently unable to do this, and more broadly is in line with widely recognised definitions of antisemitism.”

 

Motion by THE AGENDA COMMITTEE (TO BE PROPOSED BY MEDICAL STUDENTS CONFERENCE): That this meeting affirms the right of healthcare professionals and medical students to criticise states, governments, or institutions for actions that contravene international law. This meeting:-

i) acknowledges that medical students advocating for Palestine have been the subject of disciplinary action by their medical schools and calls on the BMA to lobby medical schools to not penalise and censor Palestinian advocacy;

ii) is concerned about the rise of antisemitism on campus and calls on the BMA to develop robust safeguards in order to systematically differentiate rightful advocacy for Palestine while protecting Jewish people;

iii) calls on the BMA to support medical students and healthcare workers undergoing disciplinaries for raising awareness of humanitarian crises both pastorally and by protecting their rights;

iv) demands that any punitive measures taken against healthcare workers and medical students for such expressions be immediately revoked;

v) calls on the BMA to issue clear guidance to protect the freedom of expression and advocacy of its members in line with international human rights standards.

Responding, a BMA spokesperson said: “Antisemitism is completely unacceptable. There is no place for it in the BMA, NHS, or wider society and we condemn antisemitism in the strongest possible terms, as we do with all discrimination based on race, religion, sexuality, gender or disability.

“Doctors and medical students in the UK and around the world are horrified by the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded during the Middle East conflict, with the devastating loss of civilian life and in particular, the attacks on healthcare workers and healthcare facilities in Gaza.

“Doctors and medical students must be able to legitimately challenge the actions of states and armed forces, especially when healthcare is under threat, without being unfairly accused of any kind of discrimination or threatened with disciplinary action.

“This motion speaks to the frustration of our members who feel that they are currently unable to do this, and we will continue to advocate for all doctors and medical students to exercise freedom of expression on matters of conscience while at the same time protecting them from discrimination.”

 

Motion by LOTHIAN DIVISION: That this meeting reaffirms the BMA’s position statements of June 2024 and January 2025 on the Israel-Gaza conflict, which underscore the imperative of upholding international humanitarian law and the protection of healthcare workers and infrastructure in conflict zones. And:-

i) condemns in the strongest terms the systematic destruction of hospitals in Gaza and the killing of over 1,000 healthcare workers since October 7, 2023, as grave violations of international law and an affront to medical neutrality;

ii) demands the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained healthcare workers in Israel as political prisoners and calls for an end to the targeting and criminalisation of medical personnel providing care in conflict zones;

iii) calls for unrestricted and unimpeded access for medical and humanitarian relief in Gaza, ensuring the delivery of life-saving aid and the rebuilding of healthcare infrastructure;

iv) urges the UK Government to actively support the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in their investigations and prosecutions of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, including holding accountable any medical professionals who have participated in or facilitated the torture or mistreatment of prisoners.

Responding, BMA representative body chair Dr Latifa Patel said: “This motion speaks to the grave concern of UK doctors about the increasingly dire situation in the Middle East, the deaths of huge numbers of innocent civilians and attacks on healthcare workers and healthcare infrastructure.

“Since the conflict began we have been clear that medical neutrality must be respected. Doctors and their colleagues already working in the most horrific environment, treating victims of war, must be able to provide care without fear of becoming targets themselves.

“We have repeatedly called for international humanitarian law to be respected, the re-establishment of a ceasefire, the lifting of the blockade and full access for humanitarian aid, and investigations into reports of mistreatment of detained healthcare workers and their arbitrary detention and investigations into attacks on healthcare.

“The BMA has a long and proud history of advocating for human rights, which are so imperatively intertwined, and this motion and vote reaffirms this commitment at a time when healthcare remains under attack worldwide.”

Notes to editors

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.