Australian nurses suspended over antisemitic video
Two nurses from a Sydney hospital have been suspended following the circulation of a video allegedly showing them making death threats against Israeli patients and boasting about refusing them medical treatment. The incident, now under police investigation, has sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders and health officials.
The video, which surfaced on social media, features a man and a woman, both believed to be hospital employees, engaging in a conversation with Israeli content creator Max Veifer. The footage, reportedly recorded within a medical facility, appears to show one of the individuals, who claims to be a doctor, making a throat-slitting gesture and stating that he sends Israelis to Jahannam, an Islamic concept akin to hell.
The woman in the video is heard saying that she would not treat Israeli patients and would instead kill them. Although the video has been edited, with emojis added and some statements bleeped out, authorities have not questioned its authenticity.
Following the video’s emergence, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the remarks as “sickening and shameful,” emphasizing that antisemitic hatred has no place in Australia. Writing on social media platform that he described the footage as “disgusting” and vowed that individuals engaging in criminal antisemitic behavior would face the full force of Australian law.
New South Wales (NSW) Health Minister Ryan Park announced that both individuals had been immediately suspended and assured the public that they would never work in the NSW healthcare system again. He also confirmed that a rapid review of hospital records had not uncovered any adverse patient outcomes but assured a thorough investigation would be conducted to ensure patient safety.
Park apologized to the Jewish community, reaffirming the state’s commitment to providing high-quality healthcare to all patients, regardless of background. He also expressed disappointment that such an incident had occurred within a hospital setting, stating that there was no place for such views in the medical profession or Australian society. He acknowledged that hospital staff in Bankstown, where the incident occurred, were deeply embarrassed and ashamed but stressed that this incident did not overshadow the dedication and professionalism of healthcare workers.
The controversy comes just days after Australia passed stricter hate crime laws in response to a surge in antisemitic attacks. In recent months, Jewish communities across Australia have reported multiple incidents, including arson, vandalism, and threats against synagogues, homes, and vehicles. In January, NSW police discovered a caravan filled with power gel explosives, which authorities warned could have caused a “mass casualty event.” The vehicle was found alongside a document containing antisemitic sentiments and a list of Jewish targets in Sydney.
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, described the video as a disturbing reminder of the ongoing threats faced by Jewish Australians. He warned that it served as yet another sign of the “evil that exists in our midst.”
As the investigation continues, the NSW government and law enforcement agencies remain committed to addressing hate crimes and ensuring that healthcare settings remain safe and inclusive for all patients.