‘Hatred underpins them’: Nurses suspended after viral video threatening to kill Israeli man
Two Sydney nurses who were caught on camera threatening to kill an Israeli man and other Jewish people in their care have been identified and suspended from practicing nursing. The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care announced on Thursday that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of New South Wales (NSW) had suspended the registrations of registered nurses Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh.
The incident occurred on an international video chat website called Chatrouletka, where Nadir and Lebdeh, who initially claimed they were doctors, made the threatening remarks to Israeli influencer Max Veifer. Lebdeh told Veifer that it was “Palestine’s country, not your country,” and threatened him with a “disgusting death.” Nadir joined in, indicating that they would not treat Veifer and making a throat-slashing gesture.
Following the release of the video, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency updated their records to prevent Nadir and Lebdeh from practicing nursing anywhere in Australia. The Department of Health and Aged Care released a statement condemning the nurses’ actions, stating that their threats and hatred had no place in the healthcare system or anywhere in Australia.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that the nurses had been referred to the NSW Police for criminal investigation. He emphasized that individuals found to have committed criminal antisemitic acts would face the full force of the law.
In response to the incident, Australia enacted a hate crimes bill imposing minimum mandatory penalties for hate-related crimes, with specific provisions for terrorist offenses, financing terrorism, and displaying hate symbols. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, along with Health Department secretary Susan Pearce and David Ossip from the Jewish Board of Deputies, visited Bankstown Hospital where the nurses worked to assess the situation.
While there is currently no evidence that the nurses harmed patients in their care, the investigation is ongoing. Lebdeh’s family members have claimed that she was “baited” and expressed remorse for her actions. However, Israel’s biggest newspaper, Israel Hayom, criticized the nurses for downplaying the incident.
Sharren Haskel, deputy minister of foreign affairs of the state of Israel, commended Australian officials for their response and called the nurses “racist.” She emphasized the need for zero tolerance for racism and antisemitism, urging that threats be met with the full force of the law.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in Jewish communities in Australia, with reports of a synagogue being firebombed in Melbourne and other instances of vandalism. The Australian government is taking steps to ensure the safety and security of all its citizens, regardless of their background.
