Psychotherapists' Training Session Cancelled Due to Academic Trainers' Anti-Semitic Social Media Posts

Strategic Insights -

A professional training session for psychotherapists on tackling Islamophobia was cancelled after three academics, who were leading the event, were accused of posting anti-Semitic material on social media. Messages posted or shared by the trainers, Ghazala Mir, Tarek Younis, and Ahmed Hankir, described Israel as a Nazi state and referred to "a Zionism problem" in healthcare institutions. The event, organized by the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), aimed to raise awareness of the impact of Islamophobia on mental health.

Key Takeaways:

  • The BABCP cancelled the training session after an investigation into the social media activities of the trainers, Ghazala Mir, Tarek Younis, and Ahmed Hankir, revealed anti-Semitic posts.
  • The posts included comparisons of Zionism with Nazism, referring to "Zionist paymasters," and describing Israel as responsible for "genocide and apartheid."
  • Prof Mir shared a tweet expressing "pure joy" at an Iranian missile attack against Israel, while Dr Younis wrote on social media that "our healthcare institutions have a Zionism problem" and compared Zionists to fascists.
  • The BABCP has commissioned an independent investigator and has implemented measures to prevent the spread of anti-Semitism within its organization, including bringing forward anti-Semitism training for CBT therapists.
  • The BABCP has also taken steps to address the use of contested terms, such as "genocide," in relation to the events in Gaza.

Statistics:

  • 3 academics (Ghazala Mir, Tarek Younis, and Ahmed Hankir) were involved in the training session.
  • 2 of the academics (Ghazala Mir and Tarek Younis) have denied expressing anti-Semitic views, while Ahmed Hankir refused to comment.
  • The investigation was launched after the UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) brought the social media posts to the attention of the BABCP.
  • 1 article about the impact of anti-Semitism on mental health was published in the May edition of the BABCP's magazine.

Sources:

  • News article by Patrick Sawer, Senior News Reporter, UK-based publication (date not specified).
  • British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).
  • UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI).
  • University of Leeds (Prof Ghazala Mir).
  • Middlesex University (Dr Tarek Younis).
  • University of Cardiff (Prof Ahmed Hankir).
  • International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
  • X (social media platform).