News South Wales Health workers have found themselves embroiled in controversy after their antisemitic remarks were captured on video, igniting widespread condemnation. The two nurses, Ahmad 'Rashad' Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, who work at Bankstown Hospital, were recorded during an online chat with social media influencer Max Veifer, wherein they made threatening statements against Israeli patients.
The disturbing video, which surfaced on social media, shows Nadir telling Veifer, who identified as Israeli, "You’re going to get killed and you’re going to go to jahannam (hell)," Man, I'm so upset you're Israeli," he added. The chat was characterized by Ms. Abu Lebdeh’s equally alarming response, asserting, "I won’t treat them, I’ll kill them." Such comments made by healthcare professionals on duty are seen as particularly egregious, as they directly contradict the oath of care every practitioner is expected to honor.
NSW Premier Chris Minns commented on the situation, stating, "The two individuals have been identified as NSW Health workers and they’re from Bankstown Hospital." This acknowledgment has prompted not only severe criticism but also immediate actions as both nurses have been stood down pending investigation.
Premier Minns and NSW Health Minister Ryan Park have vowed to maintain the integrity of the medical community. "We need to set clear and unambiguous messages," said Minns, condemning the comments as appalling. He emphasized the right of every community member to receive treatment without fear of bias or hate from health workers.
Police investigations have commenced, with the Bankstown Police Area Command taking over, led by Strike Force Pearl, which assesses potential hate crimes. The swift action taken by NSW Health reflects the urgency of handling such deeply concerning behaviors, with investigations not only focusing on the recent incident but also reviewing any past interactions the employees may have had with Jewish patients.
"This isn’t just about this incident alone," emphasized Park, who reiterated to media outlets the importance of moving forward with thorough investigations. He pledged both to the Jewish community and the general public, announcing, "everyone is entitled to access NSW health and hospital services without fearing for their life." The Minister went on to declare, "I want to make sure people understand these individuals won’t be returning to the office but there’s due process to be followed." The strength of this investigation aims to safeguard the credibility of health services.
While Nadir has expressed feelings of regret through his legal representative, stating, "I am very emotional, I apologize to the Jewish community as a whole," others are calling for accountability through employer response and community assurance. "These comments do not reflect the values of NSW Health or the broader community," asserted Dr. Kathryn Austin, president of the Australian Medical Association, reinforcing the message about compassion and care.
This scandal has also raised alarms about the general culture within the health profession. Calls have come from various quarters, including the Australian Jewish community, demanding investigations be conducted, extending beyond this immediate incident. According to Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the video serves as "a warning sign once again to all Australians about the evil ideologies existing within our society and the need to confront such attitudes."
The national outcry has seen responses from federal leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who characterized the footage as “sickening and shameful.” Minister for Health Mark Butler emphasized the obligation of healthcare professionals, stating, "It is unacceptable for any worker to display hate."
While the broader conversation continues to develop, insights from the Jewish community indicate heightened concerns about safety and treatment equality within healthcare systems. "Our hospitals must remain safe havens for all patients," emphasized Dr. Michael Krasovitsky, who highlighted the terrifying realization of hate prevalent within certain healthcare practitioners.
The incident evidences the significant work yet to be done to uphold ethical standards within public services, ensuring everyone receives the same level of care and respect. Both patients and healthcare workers alike deserve environments free from prejudice or discrimination.