Dear Head of MBChB (Dr Moe Thaw Oo),

I am writing to address the recent email sent by the Head of MBChB regarding an incident that occurred with a student wearing an item of clothing that was deemed to be ‘antisemitic’ ‘hostile’ and ‘intimidating’. I would like to raise some concerns regarding the framing and implications of this communication to the whole year group.

As future doctors and members of a diverse society, we uphold the values of professionalism, inclusion, and the right to freedom of expression. While we recognise the importance of creating a safe and welcoming environment for all staff and students, it is equally crucial to ensure that freedom of expression is not unjustly curtailed or conflated with hostility or discrimination. These have very strong connotations.

We as students have the right to express our beliefs, including through our clothing, as long as it does not promote hatred or incite violence. The map and flag in question represent a widely recognised symbol of Palestinian identity and advocacy for Palestinians. It is not inherently antisemitic, and conflating it with antisemitism risks the suppression of the Palestinian identity and misunderstanding of those views.

Furthermore in addressing this issue in a communication to the entire cohort, the implication is that any pro-Palestinian expression is likely to be perceived as antisemitic and unprofessional. This approach is deeply problematic, as this creates a hostile and unsafe environment for students to work and learn in. The email sent to students clearly contradicts the principles of inclusivity and freedom of expression that the school claims to uphold. Inclusivity means fostering a space where differing views and identities are respected, not suppressing them out of fear of offending others. Supporting peace in Palestine does not make you unprofessional or anti-semetic.

This approach does not promote unity but instead silences students, forcing them to suppress their views out of fear of being unfairly tarnished with labels like antisemitism. In addition, there is the real fear of creating further divisions amongst student groups which is not what we need, especially in the current climate.

With the ongoing atrocities against the Palestinian people, which have been recognised as potential genocide by the International Criminal Court, and with the prime minister of a nation involved being subject to accusations of war crimes, one would have expected this matter to be approached with greater sensitivity and caution.

By conflating the expression of solidarity with Palestinians with antisemitism, this communication reveals a concerning stance from the medical school and suggests an alignment that alienates and marginalises students who support the Palestinian cause.

It is the medical school’s duty to create a learning environment where all students feel safe and supported and where we can thrive. This includes Muslim and pro-Palestinian students, who now feel that their identities or perspectives are unwelcome and can be unjustly targeted by members of staff very publicly Addressing concerns about one group’s safety or discomfort should not come at the expense of another group’s right to express themselves.

As future medical professionals, it is our ethical duty to support those who are marginalised and oppressed. We take this very seriously. The severity of the current situation and the ongoing suffering in Palestine is something we are all painfully aware of. Many of us feel a strong ethical and moral responsibility to advocate for the Palestinian people and to support efforts to end the violence and prevent further loss of life in any way we can in all regions.

I respectfully urge the administration to reconsider how these matters are communicated and addressed in the future. Creating a culture of inclusivity requires engaging with differing perspectives openly and respectfully, rather than preemptively silencing them. A fair, nuanced, and supportive approach will help foster the unity and understanding that we all strive for.

Thank you for taking the time to consider these concerns. I am happy to discuss this further if needed.

Sincerely,