Sydney nurses to be charged over comments about killing Israeli patients

The antisemitic rant was filmed inside a staffroom at a Sydney hospital where nurses Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh were working.

Police have asked an Israeli influencer for a full, raw version of a video showing two Sydney nurses who boasted about wanting to kill Israeli patients.

Detectives are trying to determine what charges will be laid against the pair,The Daily Telegraph reported.

The antisemitic rant was filmed inside a staffroom at Bankstown Hospital on Tuesday night where nurses Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh were working.

The pair were filmed talking to Israeli content creator Max Veifer, who then uploaded the video to social media to expose them.

“You have no idea how many (Israelis) came to this hospital, and I sent them to Jahannam (hell),” Mr Nadir said in the footage. He also made a throat-slitting gesture.

“I won’t treat them, I will kill them,” Ms Abu Lebdeh said when asked what she would do if an Israeli patient was in her ward.

Rashad Nadir works as a practice Registered Nurses at a Sydney CBD medical clinic. Picture: Supplied

She then threateneed Mr Veifer saying: “When your time comes, I want you to remember my face … you will die the most disgusting death”.

Mr Nadir and Ms Abu Lebdeh were both stood down after they made the comments.

The video has triggered a police investigation, handled by the Strike Force Pearl unit which focuses on antisemitic incidents in NSW.

CCTV footage from the hospital has also been seized by authorities.

Ms Abu Lebdeh is reportedly “sorry” for her remarks and has been experiencing extreme panic attacks in the wake of the controversy, a man identifying himself as her uncle told The Australian on Wednesday afternoon.

“I’m trying to calm her down to see what the f**k happened,” he said outside her home. “She’s been a nurse for God knows how long. She’s never done anything to hurt anyone.”

The apology came after family members confronted Australian journalist Liam Mendes in heated scenes.

Ms Abu Lebdeh is believed to have graduated with a diploma of nursing five years ago and has been working at NSW Health since February 2021.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Her uncle insisted that she posed no threat to Israeli patients.

“No, she would never be a threat,” he said, claiming she will “come out and make a statement” in time.

“You can’t talk to her now because she’s having a panic attack, an anxiety attack. We might be calling the ambulance for her.”

Mr Nadir’s lawyer Mohamad Sakr says he had given a “sincere apology” to Mr Veifer and the wider Jewish community.

“He understands what has happened. He is trying to make amends with what has happened. He has never appeared before the court in relation to any criminal matters. He is a person of prior good character,” Mr Sakr said.

An overseas social media influencer found his face plastered all over the Australian press after posting video of two nurses in Sydney’s west online.

“He’s apologised for the action, he’s apologised for his words, whether he had the mental capacity at the time of an alleged offence, to commit an offence, that is a matter for the courts.”

Mr Nadir was born in Afghanistan and became an Australian citizen four years ago, after emigrating here when he was 12 years old.

It is understood any potential review of his citizenship would only be possible if set conditions were met, including being sentenced to prison for three or more years.

Australian Prime Minster Anthony Albanese said he had talked to Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw, who had offered assistance to NSW Police.

Originally published as Sydney nurses to be charged over comments about killing Israeli patients