Nurses gather to condemn hate speech following Bankstown Hospital nurses’ anti-Semitic rant

Nurses have gathered to condemn hate speech after an “abhorrent” video of two NSW nurses on an anti-Semitic tirade surfaced online.

Nurses across NSW have rallied outside NSW parliament following the emergence of footage of an anti-Semitic rant where one nurse vows to “kill” Israeli patients and another claims he’s already sent Israeli patients to the afterlife.

The pair were filmed wearing their NSW Health uniforms as they threatened Israeli patients in an anti-Semitic tirade during a video call with Israeli influencer Max Veifer.

The nurses have since been identified as Ahmad “Rashad” Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh.

In the video call, Mr Nadir tells Mr Veifer he was eventually “going to get killed”.

Nurses Ahmad ‘Rashad’ Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh were filmed while on an anti-Semitic rant during a video call with Israeli influencer Max Veifer. Picture: Instagram.

On Thursday, nurses gathered outside the NSW parliament to protest against hate speech.

Bankstown Hospital staff have been abused since the video surfaced, according to nurses at the rally.

NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association assistant general secretary Michael Whaites said members were “horrified” and “devastated” by the footage.

“We find the comments to be abhorrent, and I want to reassure the people of Australia, of NSW, of our Jewish communities, our Israeli communities, that they do not speak for nurses and midwives, they do not speak for our profession,” Mr Whaites said.

Mr Whaites said the nurses’ comments in the video did “not speak for nurses and midwives”.

“I’m devastated about the impact that this is having on the Jewish community … on all of our communities,” he said.

“People should feel safe, and I want to reassure people that the vast majority of nurses and midwives will absolutely provide the best care to everyone that crosses the threshold, no matter their background.”

Nurses gathered on Thursday to rally against hate speech. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Mr Whaites said there had been a rise in hatred across society, but that there was “no room for hate in healthcare”.

“We know that the community trusts us and respects us and the community needs that trust so that they feel safe in our hospitals,” he said.

“We know that we’re going to have to work to rebuild that trust, but again, we implore the community to understand that these people do not speak for us.”

NSW Nurses and Midwives’ (NSWNMA) president Obray Smith held back tears as she pleaded with the community to not take out their anger on healthcare workers.

Ms Smith said Bankstown Hospital staff had been “hit hardest” by the anti-Semitic rants made by their colleagues Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh.

“There have been a lot of tears from our members out there and I hope the community … see this is not us, this is not reflective of us and we will continue to care for them and hopefully build from this,” she said.

The video has been widely condemned and the pair were stood down from their roles at Bankstown Hospital on Wednesday.

When Mr Veifer asked why, Ms Lebdeh said: “It’s Palestine’s country not your country, you piece of sh*t.”

Nurses held signs that said ‘no place for hate in health’ at the rally. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

“One day your time will come and you will die the most … listen to me when your time comes, I want you to remember my face so you can understand that you will die the most disgusting death.”

Mr Veifer questioned whether they would treat an Israeli person but was cut off by Ms Lebdeh, who said: “I won’t treat them, I’ll kill them … Not God forbid, I hope to God.”

“You have no idea how many Israeli … dog came to this hospital and … I literally sent them to (the afterlife),” Mr Nadir added while slicing his hand across his neck.

Mr Whaites said work needed to be done to build trust with communities and to ensure everyone felt safe in healthcare.

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) also condemned racism following the video, and assured the community that nurses were “committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and care for patients, regardless of differences in political views”.

“Nurses are among the most trusted of professional groups, and the idea of harming patients or withholding care for political, race-based, or religious reasons is morally abhorrent to nurses,” the ACN said in a statement.

NSW Nursing and Midwives’ Association assistant general secretary Michael Whaites said members were ‘horrified’ by the video. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

“The practice of nursing is founded on the principles of equity, inclusion, and respect for diversity.

“Nurses abide by the International Council of Nurses’ code of ethics, which states nurses are to promote respect for the human rights, values, customs, religious and spiritual beliefs of all; and are to support safety in health care settings.

“The public should have confidence that nurses are committed to respecting the dignity and rights of all patients, and looking after all those requiring care with empathy.”

Mr Nadir’s solicitor Mohamad Sakr said his client had sent a “very sincere apology to not only that individual, but to the Jewish community as a whole”.

“He understands what has happened, he is trying to make amends for what has happened,” Mr Sakr said, according to ABC.

“He has never appeared before the court in relation to any criminal matters. He is a person of prior good character. It is unfortunate to find himself in a situation like this.”

A man who claimed to be Ms Lebdeh’s uncle said she was also “sorry”, according to The Australian.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park visited Bankstown Hospital on Thursday. Picture: Supplied.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park visited Bankstown Hospital on Thursday and said an apology was “not going to cut it”.

“I can’t accept their apology, because I don’t think yet they understand how shaken to the core the Jewish community on this occasion are, but (also) the broader community are for their actions,” Mr Park said on Sky News.

“These are two healthcare professionals, two nurses, some of the most trusted individuals in our society, people who we go to when we are most vulnerable.

“These are people who administer medicines … who see us when we’re not conscious.

“To make those comments sends a shockwave to Jewish community, but the community more broadly, and unfortunately, an apology on this occasion is not going to cut it.”

Originally published as Nurses gather to condemn hate speech following Bankstown Hospital nurses’ anti-Semitic rant