Royal Melbourne Hospital staffer stood down over anti-Semitic comment

The Royal Melbourne Hospital worker made the comment after an illegal engagement party attended by members of the Orthodox Jewish community.

A staffer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital has been stood down over an anti-Semitic comment posted on social media. Picture: David Crosling

The Royal Melbourne Hospital has stood down a clinical assistant after she made an anti-Semitic comment referencing the Holocaust in response to news of an engagement party attended by 69 members of the Orthodox Jewish community in breach of coronavirus restrictions last week.

In a statement released on social media on Tuesday morning, the hospital said: “We are aware of a hospital support staff member who made an abhorrent and disgraceful anti-Semitic comment on Facebook. The comment does not reflect @TheRMH and our values. We do not tolerate racial or religious hatred, contempt or ridicule.”

“The staff member is no longer an employee of the hospital and we apologise for the hurt and anger this has caused. We stand with and support our Jewish staff members, patients and community.”

STATEMENT: We are aware of a hospital support staff member who made an abhorrent and disgraceful anti-semitic comment on Facebook.

The comment does not reflect @TheRMH and our values. We do not tolerate racial or religious hatred, contempt or ridicule. [1/2]

— The Royal Melbourne Hospital (@TheRMH) August 17, 2021

Clinical assistant Doreen Bonello had commented “put them in a gas chamber” in response to news of the illegal gathering.

Her comment was brought to public attention by accountant, human rights advocate and Orthodox Jewish community member Menachem Vorchheimer, who tweeted screenshots of the comment and Ms Bonello’s LinkedIn profile to Premier Daniel Andrews and Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien.

I understand the anger - but there is a line we must never cross

This member #Victorian#Public#Health has gone too far@DanielAndrewsMP@michaelobrienmp & ALL MPs to Step Up & draw line between anger & outright #racism#hate & #Antisemitism#auspol#springst#COVID19Vicpic.twitter.com/qtAsUW41q9

— Menachem Vorchheimer (@MenachemV) August 16, 2021

“I understand the anger – but there is a line we must never cross,” Mr Vorchheimer tweeted.

“This member of Victorian public health (staff) has gone too far @DanielAndrewsMP @michaelobrienmp & ALL MPs to Step Up & draw (a) line between anger & outright #racism #hate & #Antisemitism.

Mr Vorchheimer was the victim of a violent physical attack in 2006, when a group of Ocean Grove Football Club players visiting Melbourne assaulted him on the street in front of his children, removing his hat and skullcap before punching him in the eye while shouting anti-Semitic abuse.