Senior nurse Ahmad Baker, and respiratory consultant Dr Aarash Saleh say a new policy which bans shows of solidarity with Palestine is ‘discriminatory’, reports Marco Marcelline
Two Whipps Cross Hospital staff members are taking legal action against Barts Health NHS Trust over a “discriminatory” uniform policy which prohibits shows of solidarity with Palestine.
Senior nurse Ahmad Baker, and Dr Aarash Saleh, a respiratory consultant at the Leytonstone hospital, say an updated dress code policy discriminates against their anti-Zionist views, which were found to be a protected characteristic under the Equality Act last year.
The policy, which was introduced in March, bans staff from wearing clothes or symbols that display support for a “particular nation, political party, one side in a conflict or causes that are not directly linked to and supported by the trust of the NHS”.
This includes badges, lanyards, clothing, digital backgrounds, or any visible symbols perceived as politically or nationally affiliated.
Ahmad, who is British-Palestinian, says he was prompted to take legal action after his bosses reprimanded him for using a background on his video calls that showed a fruit bowl containing a watermelon.
Watermelons have become symbols of Palestine because of its similar colours to the Palestinian flag.
Ahmad and Aarash are seeking the removal of key provisions of the policy, a declaration from the employment tribunal that discrimination has taken place, and compensation for injury to “feelings they have suffered and continue to suffer” as a result of the policy.
In a letter sent to Barts Health on the claimants’ behalf by legal firm Leigh Day, Ahmad says the policy unfairly targets those with pro-Palestinian views, and highlights Barts Health support for Ukraine.
Since March 2022, the trust has issued several press releases in support of Ukraine, in addition to sending vital medical equipment to struggling health centres in the country.
The trust, which manages several hospitals in East London including Whipps Cross, say their policy reflects their aim to be “completely apolitical and non-biased in our care”.
The claimants additionally state that lobby group UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) had sent a formal complaint to the trust in early March 2025, asserting that pro-Palestinian symbols worn by staff could be deemed offensive or even unlawful.
In March, UKLFI published an article announcing Barts’ new policy eight days before it was officially implemented and communicated to staff. The claimants say this shows the trust “inappropriately consulted with an external body while sidelining internal staff voices”.
In their article, UKLFI highlighted the case of a Jewish woman who felt “extremely vulnerable” after seeing three Whipps Cross staff with “Free Palestine” badges, while she was giving birth.
Barts Health said: “We recognise the distress that global conflict has for our diverse workforce and continue to support their wellbeing as they serve our patients. However, as an NHS organisation our primary responsibility is care for patients.”
They added the policy aimed to “uphold political neutrality, creating an inclusive culture at work, and a safe space for patients in their time of need”.
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