Inflammatory anti-Israel leaflets are being distributed outside hospital premises, urging patients to wear pro-Palestine symbols while visiting clinics and GPs.

The leaflets, entitled “Hands Off Our Healthworkers”, were  handed out near University College London Hospital (UCLH) on 17 June 2026. They appear to be produced by the campaign group Global Health BDS for Palestine, which promotes boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel and has launched a campaign opposing the Government’s implementation of Lord Mann’s review into antisemitism in the NHS.

In a letter to UCLH Chief Executive, David Probert, UK Lawyers for Israel expressed concern that the leaflets contain misleading claims about Lord Mann’s recommendations and risk turning NHS premises into venues for political activism.

The leaflets claim that the Government’s acceptance of Lord Mann’s recommendations will lead to a ban on Palestinian symbols, prevent criticism of Israel, and impose what it describes as “pro-Israel indoctrination” within the NHS. According to UKLFI, these claims bear “no resemblance to the actual recommendations” and risk misleading NHS staff, patients and visitors.

UKLFI also highlighted language in the leaflet describing Lord Mann as a “Zionist” and characterising his review as “racist”. The organisation warned that such rhetoric could be offensive to Jewish, Israeli and Zionist staff and patients and may contribute to a hostile environment within healthcare settings.

The leaflet goes further by encouraging patients to wear political symbols when attending NHS appointments and to make complaints against NHS organisations that seek to maintain politically neutral workplaces. UKLFI argues that NHS facilities should remain focused on healthcare delivery rather than becoming arenas for political campaigning.

UKLFI pointed out that patients are entitled to receive treatment in a politically neutral environment and warned that material encouraging identification with one side of a contentious international conflict could alienate other patients and staff, particularly Jewish patients.

UKLFI also explained NHS bodies have obligations under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that staff and service users are not subjected to harassment or a hostile environment because of protected characteristics, including religion and ethnicity. It suggested that the leaflet’s attacks on a review into antisemitism, and its references to Lord Mann as a “Zionist”, raise significant concerns in that regard.

UKLFI has asked UCLH to confirm whether it was aware of the leaflet distribution, whether permission had been granted, what steps are being taken to prevent hospital premises being used for partisan political campaigning, and whether the Trust considers the leaflet compatible with its obligations towards Jewish staff and patients.

A spokesperson for UKLFI, said:

“Hospitals should be places where patients receive treatment free from political campaigning and intimidation. It is deeply worrying that activists are distributing material outside NHS premises which misrepresents efforts to tackle antisemitism and uses language that many Jewish patients and staff will find hostile and offensive. NHS organisations must ensure that their premises remain welcoming and inclusive for everyone.”