Monash University medical student investigated by Peninsula Health after calling Zionists ‘terrorists’
A healthcare service is investigating after a medical student it is planning to employ as an intern ranted about Zionist “terrorists” in a series of inflammatory social media posts.
A Monash University medical student who labelled Zionists “terrorists” in social media posts is under investigation by a major healthcare service.
Peninsula Health is probing the student’s online content after he published dozens of anti-Zionist posts to his then public Instagram profile.
It is understood he is set to start an internship at a hospital run by Peninsula Health next year.
The hate-fuelled comments were posted between February 2024 and July this year.
The man – who the Herald Sun has chosen not to name – is studying a bachelor of medical science and doctor of medicine at the prestigious university.
In one shocking post, the student re-shared a video and wrote “Zionists are terrorists”.
In another post, written in Arabic, the student compared Zionism to Nazism.
“Zionism, like Nazism; was built on the same principle: racial superiority,” the English translation read.
“Nazism was based on the idea of Aryan racial superiority, just as Zionism was based on the idea of the chosen people, which in turn became a justification for the crimes they committed against other races.”
Peninsula Health chief executive Helen Cooper said the “matter will be investigated as a matter of urgency”.
“Peninsula Health expects all employees to treat every staff member, patient, client, and their families, with equity, dignity and respect,” she said.
“As stated in our code of conduct, we have zero tolerance for any breach of this commitment, regardless of a person’s cultural background, religion or ethnicity.
“Peninsula Health is committed to ensuring every person who needs healthcare receives it in a safe, appropriate and respectful manner.
“The person in question is not currently an employee of Peninsula Health.”
Several complaints from concerned students and community members were lodged to the Monash University this year.
In a statement, a student said they were “fearful” of sharing their Jewish identity with the man.
“I feel personally threatened … and am concerned for my family, friends and community to be under his care as a medical student and future medical professional,” they said.
“I do not feel safe … I am fearful of sharing my Jewish identity … I do not trust (name redacted) to deliver medical care without bias and prejudice.
“I feel sad to be studying medicine with an individual who is deliberately and blatantly promoting death, violence, hate and lies.”
A community member said they had “grave concerns” about the man graduating and practising medicine.
“We are deeply concerned about the risks of him being in contact with patients and colleagues who may not share his views and in particular Jewish patients and healthcare staff,” they said.
A Monash University spokesperson said it was “considering” the posts.
“The university is considering the posts in the context of its policies and procedures,” they said.
“The university is committed to the elimination of all forms of racism, including direct and indirect racial discrimination, hate speech, racial vilification and racial harassment including but not limited to anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and xenophobia.”
The student was contacted for comment.
Originally published as Monash University medical student investigated by Peninsula Health after calling Zionists ‘terrorists’
