Southwest Sydney MP slam nurses’ anti-Semitic rant as Islamic leader likens them to Sam Kerr

A Sydney Islamic leader has refused to condemn the nurses at the centre of the vile hate video that has shocked the nation, bizarrely likening them to Matildas captain Sam Kerr.

A Sydney Islamic leader has refused to condemn the nurses at the centre of the vile hate video, bizarrely likening them to Matildas captain Sam Kerr.

Lebanese Muslim Association secretary Gamel Kheir said the comments of nurses Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh should not be condoned but there was nothing to be gained by condemning the pair.

“My reaction is, as any fair, decent Australian’s would be, we condemn such hate speech,’’ he told Sky News host Laura Jayes.

“But I will not condemn the individuals. I don’t think it serves any purpose to condemn them as individuals.

“ We need to work in terms of an education process.’’

Nurses Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh in the video that has shocked the world. Picture: NewsWire Handout

He then likened the pair’s threats to kill Israeli patients to Kerr’s racism trial in the UK.

“Let me give you an example … Sam Kerr,” he said.

“Do we condone her statements? No, we condemn the statements that she admits she made. But did we condemn her? No.”

Soccer superstar Sam Kerr was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment. Picture: AFP

Lebanese Muslim Association secretary Gamel Kheir. Picture: David Swift

It comes as other members of Sydney’s Islamic community also offered support to the two nurses.

One Bankstown resident stopped on the street by Sky News and asked his opinion on the nurses’ anti-Semitic rant said: “They have a free right to say whatever they want, you know? I stand with them, yes, in any way possible.”

He attempted to justify the pair’s anti-Semitic tirade by pointing to “all the kids that Jews have killed” in Palestine.

A Sydney lawyer and activist has also come out in support of the nurses, warning fellow Palestinians not to engage with social media bloggers, saying the video of the nurses was intended to entrap them.

Founding partner of law firm LawBridge, Ramia Sultan, who calls herself “the hijabi lawyer”, said the recording of the pair’s “disturbing conversation” was designed to entrap and expose the two nurses.

In an Instagram post, she said: “For someone who’s been involved in the movement, we have heard and seen far worse come from the other side. My message is to young people in particular, you are being watched and nothing and nowhere is safe. There is no such thing as safe space. Do not trust anyone on social media.

“Don’t engage in conversations like this, seeking to especially entrap, it will be ultimately used against you and potentially used to completely impact on your future.”

She added: “We don’t live in a situation where you can freely have a conversation, whether you mean things or don’t mean things, if you are Palestinian or pro-Palestinian, if you are an Arab, and especially if you are a Muslim, God forbid, you will be met with the high end of the stick.”

Chris Bowen. Picture: Martin Ollman

Jason Clare. Picture: Martin Ollman

It comes as ministers from Sydney’s southwest moved to reassure Jewish Australians they will not be turned away from hospitals due to their faith.

Blaxland MP and federal Education Minister Jason Clare along with McMahon MP and Energy Minister Chris Bowen joined a chorus of voices condemning the nurses’ “shameful” comments. 

“These comments are disgusting and shameful – and particularly sickening to come from health care professionals who have such an important position caring for the most vulnerable in our community,” Mr Bowen said, whose electorate borders on Bankstown. 

Mr Clare added: “This vile anti-Semitism has no place in Australia.”

MP Jihad Dib speaks at the Steps for Forgiveness event. Picture: Damian Shaw

Bankstown state MP Jihad Dib said he was “horrified” by the comments in the video and had visited Bankstown Hospital on Thursday morning.

“This post does not reflect the Bankstown I know – a caring, generous, kind-hearted and diverse community,” he said.

“Nor do these individuals reflect the healthcare workers I know at Bankstown Hospital who turn up to care for people every single day.”

Mr Dib said it was important to protect “social cohesion and humanity” amid escalating incidents of anti-Semitism.

“Every day I am proud to represent a community that time and again shows empathy and support for others.

“Nobody in NSW should fear being the target of hate based on their race, religion or nationality. 

“I want to reiterate the importance of preserving our social cohesion and humanity. Our ability to come together and to support one another must be at the core of our state.”