‘Allahu Akbar’: High school students protest after action taken against staff for defending Sydney nurses video
Wild scenes have played out outside a school in Sydney following charges laid against a nurse over a vile video.
Wild scenes have played out outside a Sydney boy’s high school, with students heard chanting “Allahu Akbar” and protesting against action taken towards a staff member who defended alleged anti-Semitic remarks made by two Sydney nurses.
Dozens of students protested outside Granville Boys High School, in Western Sydney, on Wednesday after Sheikh Wesam, a Muslim leader and support worker at the school, posted a video defending “vile” comments made by Bankstown Hospital nurses Sarah Abu Lebdeh and Ahmad “Rashad” Nadir.
Abu Lebdeh, who has since been charged, and Nadir allegedly threatened to harm Israeli patients while wearing their NSW Health uniforms – in the video – which sparked global condemnation and saw the pair swiftly stood down by health authorities.
The pair were speaking to Israeli social media creator Max Veifer at the time.
Weighing in on the video, Mr Wesam said the nurses’ comments were “never meant to be literal” and criticised politicians for “selective moral outrage”.
Following his comments, Mr Wesam was ordered to work from home on Wednesday by the NSW Education Department.
On Wednesday, students were seen waving Palestine and Lebanon flags as they rallied outside the school demanding Mr Wesam’s return.
The students were also heard chanting “Sheikh Wesam”, “bring him back”, “Allahu Akbar” and “Palestine will live forever”.
In Mr Wesam’s video, the support worker said the nurses’ comments were never “intended to be a threat to patient care”.
“In current times, in these times in which a genocide is unfolding live on our screens, emotions can sometimes get the better of anybody,” he said.
“Though the most revealing aspect of the political outrage is the speed, intensity and co-ordination of the response from figures who have been otherwise largely indifferent, weak or outright complicit and enabling in the face of mass atrocities.”
A spokesman for the NSW Department of Education told The Australian that employees had “been reminded of their duty to uphold the reputation of the department as apolitical and impartial.”
“Any student who did not follow directions from staff will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action,” the spokesman said.
Nurse’s lawyer calls out “viral outrage
It comes as Abu Lebdeh’s lawyer has criticised political leaders who labelled her client a “criminal before charges were even laid”, saying she deserves better than a “trial by social media”.
Abu Lebdeh, 26, was arrested after she attended Sutherland Police Station about 7.30pm on Tuesday.
She was charged with three commonwealth offences including threatening violence to group, use carriage service to threaten to kill and use carriage service to menace/harass/offend.
Addressing the widespread reaction to the video, lawyer Rayan Kadadi, said her client has been subjected to “viral outrage” which “is not a court of law”.
“I think right now it is important to remind everyone that our system in Australia is one where every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Ms Kadadi told The Daily Telegraph.
“My client has the right to a fair trial, not a trial by social media,” she added.
“My client has been labelled by political leaders as guilty and a criminal before charges were even laid. The application of justice should not be selective. Our leaders ought to know better.”
Ms Kadadi also called for influencer Max Veifer to be flown to Australia to testify in court if required.
“The integrity of our Justice system demands this witness be tested and available in an Australian court of law,” she said.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park was among politicians who condemned the video, denouncing the “appalling” conduct of the nurses.
“The comments are vile, dehumanising and unacceptable,” Mr Park said in an interview on 2GB. “They made me sick to my stomach.
“We cannot afford to have people like that in a health system. Everyone is entitled to access NSW health and hospital services without featuring for their life and without having that sort of hate-filled attitude come through some of our health care workers.”
At a media conference later in the day, Mr Park sent a clear message to NSW Health employees.
“This act of bastardry, this act of vile disgusting behaviour, from two individuals, will in no way diminish the value of the secretary, myself as the minister, but more importantly our state, values the work that you do each and every day.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labelled the footage “sickening and shameful”.
“The antisemitic video circulating today is disgusting. The comments are vile,” he said in a statement on X.
“These antisemitic comments, driven by hate, have no place in our health system and no place anywhere in Australia.
Jewish leaders also condemned the video, demanding Abu Lebdeh and Nadir be charged over their alarming remarks.
“You have no idea how many (Israelis) came to this hospital, and I sent them to Jahannam (hell),” Nadir said in the vision. He also made a throat-slitting gesture.
Chiming in, Abu Lebdeh said: “I won’t treat them, I will kill them.”
She then threatened Mr Veifer, saying: “When your time comes, I want you to remember my face … you will die the most disgusting death”.
Nadir told the content creator that he was “so upset that you’re Israeli” because “eventually you’re going to get killed”.
When Mr Veifer asked why he was going to get killed, Abu Lebdeh appeared on the screen and said: “It’s Palestine’s country, not your country, you piece of s***.”
‘Very serious’ charges
Speaking to press on Wednesday, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb described the Commonwealth charges laid against Abu Lebdeh as of a “very serious” nature, adding that strict conditions had been placed on the nurse.
“The Commonwealth charges were placed as while it was alleged the individuals were in NSW, it was widely reported that the influencer they were in the video with was elsewhere overseas with Commonwealth charges the best fit for that situation,” she said.
“The individual will be facing court but in the meantime, she is on strict bail conditions, including restricting her from leaving the country and from using social media.”
Commissioner Webb said charges for Nadir would be placed in the future, but did not comment on the man’s employment at another hospital.
“Matters are ongoing for the man, and charges will be laid in the future,” she said.
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It was earlier revealed he had not been spoken to as he had been “receiving ongoing medical treatment” in hospital.
Abu Lebdeh was granted conditional bail to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 19 March.
Investigations continue.
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