Two nurses from Sydney who were caught on camera threatening to harm an Israeli man and other Jewish individuals under their care have been identified and promptly suspended from their practice. The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care announced on Thursday that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of New South Wales (NSW) has suspended the licenses of registered nurses Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh with immediate effect. Originally claiming to be doctors while wearing scrubs, Nadir and Lebdeh made threatening remarks towards Israeli influencer Max Veifer during an international video chat on the website Chatrouletka.
After questioning Veifer about his nationality, Lebdeh stated, “it’s Palentine’s country, not your country you piece of s—,” as seen in the video. She then went on to warn Veifer to remember her face for the moment he meets his end in a heinous manner. Nadir joined in, expressing that they would refuse to treat Veifer and would resort to violence if he were to visit their hospital. Nadir made a throat-slashing gesture while mentioning the number of Israelis who had been to their hospital.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency promptly updated their public register of practitioners, prohibiting the two nurses from practicing anywhere in Australia under any circumstances. The health department condemned the discriminatory and threatening behavior, emphasizing that all individuals should receive care without prejudice in the healthcare system. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that the nurses were referred to the NSW Police for a criminal investigation.
The health department reiterated the importance of safety in healthcare settings and the duty of health workers to attend to all patients in need. Meanwhile, an investigation is ongoing to determine if any patients were negatively impacted by the nurses’ actions. Family members of Lebdeh claimed she was provoked and expressed regret on her behalf. Responses from Israel’s largest newspaper criticized the nurses for downplaying the severity of their actions.
In a recent post on X, Haskel, the deputy minister of foreign affairs for the state of Israel, expressed his gratitude towards Australian officials for their prompt and resolute response to a concerning incident involving apparent racism. Haskel did not mince words, labeling the individuals involved as “racist.” Specifically mentioning @ChrisMinnsMP, Haskel commended the Australian lawmaker for taking swift and decisive action against the nurses who had made threatening remarks towards Jews. He praised Minns for his unwavering dedication and efforts in combating antisemitism, acknowledging the significant strides made over the past month. Haskel conveyed a deep sense of appreciation for Minns’ commitment to ensuring the protection of the Jewish community in New South Wales.
Emphasizing the need for a firm stance against racism and antisemitism, Haskel underscored the importance of maintaining “zero tolerance” for such behavior. He stressed that any threats must be met with the full force of the law to safeguard individuals and communities from harm. The gravity of the situation was further highlighted by a recent incident in Melbourne on Dec. 6, where a synagogue was firebombed, prompting authorities to investigate the matter as a likely terrorist attack. Reports also indicated instances of cars being set ablaze and buildings being vandalized in Jewish communities in Sydney.
The original source of the article pertained to the suspension of nurses following the circulation of a viral video showing them making threats against an Israeli man, as reported by the Australia Health Department.
