Why was British-Palestinian doctor Rahmeh Aladwan suspended over social media posts?
British-Palestinian doctor Rahmeh Aladwan has been suspended for 15 months by the GMC amid allegations of antisemitic and controversial social media posts. Learn about the tribunal’s decision, ongoing investigation, and impact on public trust in medicine.
A British-Palestinian doctor has been suspended from practicing medicine for 15 months following a tribunal decision by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS). Dr. Rahmeh Aladwan, a trainee trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, is currently under investigation by the General Medical Council (GMC) over allegations relating to social media activity.
The interim suspension, effective immediately, will be reviewed in six months. It comes amid complaints that Dr. Aladwan’s posts included antisemitic comments, support for terrorist organizations, and controversial political statements.
Tribunal Findings
According to the tribunal, Dr. Aladwan’s online activity allegedly contained content that “justifies terrorism, denies sexual violence, includes antisemitic conspiracy theories, misuses Holocaust and Nazi imagery, and expresses support for proscribed groups and terrorist acts.” The posts highlighted in the GMC’s submission referenced the October 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel, which the group called the “Al-Aqsa flood.”
Tribunal documents detail that some posts from Dr. Aladwan celebrated actions linked to Hamas, including tweets describing the destruction of the Gaza-Israel border fence as a “victory” for Palestinians. These statements prompted concern over the potential impact on public confidence in the medical profession.
The GMC argued that such content could “undermine patient trust in both Dr. Aladwan and the profession as a whole,” noting that an ordinary member of the public with awareness of antisemitism would likely be alarmed.
Response to Recent Incidents
Dr. Aladwan also commented on the Manchester synagogue attack in October 2025. After hospitals in the area imposed restrictions on non-critical patients, she criticized the closures as “weaponizing public health and safety” and potentially discriminatory, raising concerns over healthcare access.
While Dr. Aladwan denies any racist or antisemitic intent, the GMC maintained that her posts risked damaging patient confidence and the reputation of the medical profession.
Legal and Professional Implications
This suspension follows an earlier interim orders tribunal in September, which had decided not to impose restrictions. The GMC’s renewed application cited an escalation in the tone of Dr. Aladwan’s posts, leading to the current 15-month suspension.
In response to the ruling, Dr. Aladwan posted statements on social media criticizing the GMC and alleging undue influence from external groups, asserting that the decision reflects broader political bias rather than medical oversight.
The GMC emphasizes that medical professionals are allowed freedom of belief and expression but must balance this with potential impacts on public trust, patient safety, and professional standards.
Broader Context
The case highlights the challenges regulatory bodies face in policing professional conduct on social media. While no patient complaints or reported harms were cited in the tribunal, the GMC argued that public confidence in healthcare is a critical factor in evaluating fitness to practice.
The investigation remains ongoing, and a full hearing will further examine the allegations. Dr. Aladwan’s suspension is an interim measure to ensure public protection during this period.
FAQ
Q: Who is Dr. Rahmeh Aladwan?
A: She is a British-Palestinian trainee trauma and orthopaedic surgeon currently under investigation by the GMC.
Q: Why was Dr. Aladwan suspended?
A: She is suspended for 15 months due to allegations that her social media posts contained antisemitic content, support for terrorist organizations, and politically charged statements that could affect public confidence in medicine.
Q: Is Dr. Aladwan allowed to practice medicine?
A: Not during the suspension period, which is currently set for 15 months and will be reviewed after six months.
Q: Does this suspension imply she is guilty of the allegations?
A: No. The suspension is an interim measure pending a full hearing and investigation by the GMC.
Q: Can doctors post freely on social media?
A: Doctors have freedom of expression but must consider the impact of their statements on patient trust, public confidence, and professional integrity.
