Palestinian NHS nurse takes legal action over rebuke for 'antisemitic' watermelon video call

A British-Palestinian NHS nurse is taking legal action against the UK health body after managers ordered him to remove a watermelon image used as his video call background.

Ahmad Baker's employers at Whipps Cross Hospital in London said the image of the fruit could be considered as antisemitic, The Guardian reported on Thursday.

According to the newspaper, Baker and two other employees said a ban on NHS employees displaying political or national symbols is discriminatory.

They said the Barts Health NHS trust, which administers the hospital, had expressed solidarity with Ukraine after its invasion by Russia.

"Being told that a still-life painting containing a watermelon could be perceived as antisemitic and being threatened with disciplinary action is deeply upsetting," Baker said.

The watermelon has become a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, as it shares its colours with the Palestinian flag and is harder for social media algorithms to censor.

However, since the 7 October 2023 attacks by Palestinian fighters on southern Israel and the subsequent Israeli war on Gaza, there has been widespread censorship of Palestinian symbols within western institutions.

Such symbols are claimed to be antisemitic by supporters of Israel, an accusation dismissed by supporters of the Palestinian cause as an attempt to conflate criticism of Israel with hatred of Jewish people.

In October 2023, Middle East Eye reported that NHS staff were fearful of expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause, even in their personal lives, because of potential repercussions from managers.

Medical workers said the threats of being referred to the General Medical Council, the government's Prevent anti-terrorism strategy, intimidation from the media and statements made by British politicians made them hesitant to speak up.

Many of those who spoke to MEE say the intimidation began when a social media account called @NHSWATCH1948 emerged and began urging people to report any healthcare workers who posted anything pro-Palestine.

Mohamed Amir, a Palestinian origin doctor working for the NHS, said he noticed a difference in the way staff were allowed to express views on the conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine.

"If you look at it relative to the Ukraine war, it makes you wonder why Palestine is seen as so controversial, because we've had fundraisers at the front of the hospital raising money for Ukraine, and our screensavers had a pro-Ukraine image," Amir said.