Dr Rehiana Ali, a British neurologist, was suspended last week by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) following complaints about social media posts on Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. The interim suspension, lasting 18 months and subject to review, prevents her from practising medicine pending a full investigation by the General Medical Council (GMC).
The suspension relates to posts praising the martyred leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah as “legends.” On 7 October, the anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Flood resistance operation, Ali referred to Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah as “a legend” and later eulogised Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in similar terms – both were assassinated by the occupation army. “Israel will lose. They’ve just turned Sinwar into a legend. A male role model,” she wrote.
The GMC acknowledged public “concerns” over Dr Ali’s comments. “We will take action where concerns suggest patient safety or public confidence in doctors may be at risk,” said a GMC spokesperson.
Thanks Renee – appreciate the solidarity.
I’ve been punished for a perfectly legal political comment ..and for opposing israeli lobbies and israeli crimes. It’s a travesty that @gmcuk @the_mpts buckled rather than protect a doctor from vexatious harassment…over 8 lobbies I… https://t.co/FGC1zxFBCa— DR REHIANA ALI BA MB BCHIR (Cantab) MA MRCP PhD (@Rehiana1980) December 26, 2024
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Ali, who had aimed to contest the 2024 general election as an independent for Bradford South, described the complaints as politically motivated. In a post on X last week, Ali said she had been “punished for a perfectly legal political comment” and for speaking out against Israeli lobbies and the occupation state’s war crimes.
She also slammed the GMC and MPTS for bowing to Zionist pressure “rather than protect a doctor from vexatious harassment.”
“I stand by my tweets. I will not bow to demons,” Ali affirmed.
Pro-Israel lobbyists UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), which reported Ali’s posts alongside GnasherJew, another “watchdog” that tries to silence critics of Israel, welcomed the decision. “We are grateful that the GMC has decided on an interim suspension,” said UKLFI director Caroline Turner.
Hamas and Hezbollah are both primarily social movements with political and armed wings and significant popular support bases. Hamas was established during the First Intifada (1987–1993) as a response to Israeli occupation in Palestine, while Hezbollah emerged following Israel’s 1982 invasion of southern Lebanon during the country’s Civil War.
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