Australian Nurses Suspended After Threatening Israeli Man and Jewish Community

In a disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves through Australia and beyond, two Sydney nurses have been suspended from practicing after they were caught on camera threatening to kill an Israeli man and other Jewish individuals in their care. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and has led to a broader conversation about antisemitism, hate crimes, and the principles of healthcare in Australia.

The Incident and Immediate Response

The two nurses, identified as Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, were working at Bankstown Hospital in New South Wales. They came to attention after a video surfaced on an international video chat website called Chatrouletka, where they threatened Max Veifer, an Israeli influencer. In the video, the nurses, who initially pretended to be doctors, asked Veifer about his nationality and proceeded to make vile threats against him and the Jewish community.

In the footage, Abu Lebdeh can be heard saying, "It’s Palentine’s country, not your country, you piece of s—," before stating, "When the time comes, I want you to remember my face, so you can understand that you will die the most disgusting death." Nadir then chimed in, and both nurses made it clear that they would not treat Veifer if he came to their hospital and even threatened to kill him. Nadir’s gestures, including a throat-slashing motion, added to the chilling nature of the threats.

The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care responded swiftly, announcing that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of New South Wales had suspended the registrations of both nurses, effective immediately. This action was mirrored by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, which updated their records on the public register of practitioners, effectively barring Nadir and Abu Lebdeh from practicing nursing anywhere in Australia.

Condemnation and Official Response

The incident has been met with strong condemnation from Australian officials and healthcare authorities. In a statement, the health department emphasized that the nurses’ threats were a direct violation of the core principles of healthcare, which include providing care to all individuals without discrimination. "The idea that you would single out a particular group in our community and indicate you wouldn’t care for them, let alone actively threaten their lives, runs against every single principle in our healthcare system," the statement read.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also weighed in on the matter, calling the nurses’ actions "sickening and shameful" and confirming that they had been referred to the NSW Police for criminal investigation. "Individuals found to have committed criminal antisemitic acts will face the full force of our laws," Albanese wrote on social media, reinforcing the government’s commitment to combating hate crimes.

The incident has also led to a broader discussion about the safety of healthcare facilities. Officials have stressed that hospitals should be places of safety and healing, and that the actions of these nurses undermine the trust that patients place in healthcare workers. "Australians have a right to feel safe wherever they go, and nowhere should be safer than a hospital," the health department said.

New Hate Crimes Legislation and Ongoing Investigations

The incident has coincided with the enactment of a new hate crimes bill in Australia, which imposes minimum mandatory penalties for certain hate-related crimes. Under the new legislation, individuals convicted of terrorist offenses motivated by hate could face up to six years in prison, while those found guilty of financing terrorism or displaying hate symbols could receive sentences of three and one year, respectively.

While the new laws are seen as a step in the right direction, the investigation into Nadir and Abu Lebdeh’s actions is still ongoing. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park has stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest that the nurses harmed any patients in their care, but the matter is being taken very seriously. The suspension of their registrations is a clear indication that their behavior will not be tolerated in the healthcare system.

Community and Political Reactions

The incident has sparked a strong reaction from both the Jewish community and political leaders in Australia and Israel. Sharren Haskel, Israel’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, commended Australian officials for their swift response, calling the nurses’ actions "racist" and emphasizing the need for zero tolerance towards antisemitism. "Thank you, @ChrisMinnsMP, for your swift and decisive action against the racist nurses who threatened to kill Jews," Haskel wrote on social media. "Your dedication and efforts in combating antisemitism over the past month are commendable, and we deeply appreciate your