A paediatric consultant from Whittington Hospital has been suspended for 9 months following a decision of the Interim Orders Tribunal (IOT).

The suspension was imposed on Dr Ellen Kriesels after a hearing on 14 November 2025 in which the tribunal heard extensive evidence of her antisemitic behaviour, including abusive protest material and a series of deeply troubling posts on X.

The decision follows UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI)’s detailed complaint to the General Medical Council (GMC), submitted on 8 September 2025, documenting Dr Kriesels’ public displays of hatred towards Jews, her support for Hamas, and her repeated harassment of Jewish individuals online and at demonstrations.

UKLFI provided photographic evidence of Dr Kriesels attending multiple pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London holding a hand-drawn placard depicting the Israeli flag alongside the words: “rape, steal, cry, kill, cheat, lie.”

This sign, aimed at Israelis as a whole, constitutes a sweeping racist generalisation and a clear example of antisemitism.  She carried the placard at events on 4 June, 19 July, and 6 September 2025, and was also photographed giving an obscene gesture towards Jewish counter-demonstrators.

The tribunal heard that these actions, witnessed in public spaces, left Jewish patients, colleagues, and members of the public distressed, shocked, and alarmed.

UKLFI had also documented some of Dr Kriesels’ extremist posts on X, where she repeatedly claimed that Jews—Zionist or not—embodied “supremacy,” described Judaism as “racist, imperialist and genocidal,” and stated she was “sickened” by Jews.

She attacked the yellow ribbon symbol used to show solidarity with Israeli hostages, claiming it was a mark of “Jewish supremacy,” and dismissed concerns about the presence of Mein Kampf in Gaza.

The tribunal was told that more than 1,500 complaints, many from patients, were received by her NHS trust, raising fears that she could not provide safe or unbiased care to Jewish families.

The UKLFI complaint highlighted that Dr Kriesels publicly characterised Hamas as “oppressed resistance fighters” and “not terrorists,” potentially breaching Section 12(1A) of the Terrorism Act 2000, which prohibits expressing support for a designated terrorist organisation.

Her protest sign may also amount to offences under Sections 5 and 18 of the Public Order Act 1986 for displaying abusive and racially inflammatory material.

At Friday’s hearing, the tribunal heard evidence from the GMC that Dr Kriesels’ conduct gave rise to concerns about public confidence in the medical profession and patient safety, particularly for Jewish patients.

 The tribunal imposed a nine-month interim suspension, shorter than the 18 months sought by the GMC, but still reflective of the seriousness of the concerns.  The GMC confirmed that its full fitness-to-practise investigation is ongoing.

The interim suspension does not constitute a definitive finding by the GMC of any misconduct on the part of Dr Kriesels. Allegations of misconduct and Dr Kriesels’s response to them will be considered by the GMC in the full investigation.

UKLFI commented: “We welcome the tribunal’s decision. If a doctor publicly disseminates racist, inflammatory, and antisemitic material, and expresses support for a proscribed terrorist organisation, they cannot maintain the trust essential to clinical practice.”

Dr Kriesels’ repeated actions are likely to have breached multiple sections of the GMC’s Good Medical Practice guidance, including requirements relating to respect, impartiality, avoiding discrimination, and maintaining public confidence in the medical profession.

The suspension is an important step in safeguarding Jewish patients and upholding the integrity of the profession.