Sydney nurses Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh stood down over vile video

The two NSW Health nurses stood down over a vile anti-Semitic video have been identified, with one saying the incident was a joke that misfired.

The male nurse at the centre of a social media video in which vile threats were made against Israeli patients claims the footage shows a joke gone wrong and that he wants to apologise to the Jewish community.

Ahmad ‘Rashad’ Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, who work as nurses at Bankstown Hospital, were stood down on Wednesday after the anti-Semitic video filmed during a night shift in the ward went viral.

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

From his Bankstown home on Wednesday, Mr Nadir said he planned to publicly apologise to the “Jewish community and anyone I’ve offended”, but that first he needed to speak with police.

“It was a joke, a misunderstanding … I will use social media, anything, to apologise but I need to go and see the detectives first,” he said.

“The entirety of what happened is just a mistake, ok? But I’m not in the mindset to talk about it right now.

“This is very serious for me, it’s all over the news - it’s not a small thing.”

NSW Health nurse Rashad Nadir.

NSW Health nurse Sarah Abu Lebdeh.

When asked what he meant by describing his video rant as a mistake, Mr Nadir said: “I’m not saying anything more”.

“I didn’t mean to offend”.

NSW Police Strike Force Pearl is investigating the video and whether hate speech laws have been broken.

When asked why he recorded a video so damning of Israeli people, Mr Nadir said: “It wasn’t meant to be like this”.

Several young children were inside his home with Mr Nadir, who said he is due to meet Bankstown detectives later on Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, at Ms Abu Lebdeh’s home, a man who said he was her uncle said she was sorry about the video but couldn’t talk to the media because she was having a panic attack.
“I’m trying to calm her down to see what the f..k happened,” he said.

“She’s been a nurse for God knows how long. She’s never done anything to hurt anyone,” he said.

“We think we need to call an ambulance … she’s not in a good way,” he said.

‘Sad day’ for police called in

NSW Commissioner Karen Webb called it a ‘sad day’ for officers having to investigate such appalling behaviour in the community.

She said Strike Force Pearl detectives had spent the day at Bankstown Hospital seizing CCTV and speaking to other staff members.

Ms Webb said there was “no excuse” for the nurses’ behaviour.

“This is a sad day for our country, it is unthinkable that we are confronted with and forced to investigate such an appalling incident.”

“The speed in which this incident was reported by NSW Health significantly assisted detectives in what is a very serious investigation.”

“Detectives have managed to interview staff and establish areas within Bankstown Hospital where detectives believe the video was allegedly filmed.

“We have also seized CCTV footage which is currently under review, there will be further developments overnight.”

“Its crucial police are given time to conduct further interviews and navigate this high-level investigation.”

Sydney nurses identified

The Sydney nurses stood down after threatening to kill Israeli patients in a viral social media video have been identified.

Ahmad ‘Rashad’ Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, who work as nurses at Bankstown Hospital, were stood down on Wednesday after a vile anti-Semitic video filmed during a night shift on the ward went viral.

A screenshot from the Instagram video.

It’s understood Mr Nadir was born in Afghanistan and became an Australian citizen four years ago, after immigrating when he was 12 years old.

Despite telling Israeli influencer Max Veifer that he was a doctor, AHPRA records show the only medical qualifications he has are a diploma and a bachelor of nursing. He has been treating patients in Western Sydney since 2018.

In 2022, he featured in a LinkedIn post by education not-for-profit organisation, The Helmsman Project. In the post, Mr Nadir was congratulated for “making a difference in our public hospitals”.

Nadir (above) was speaking to a Jewish influencer (below) when he made the comments about not treating Israeli people.

Nadir makes a throat-slitting gesture in the video.

“Today, Rashad Nadir is making a difference in our public hospitals working as a nurse while studying part time to get a masters and continue helping his adopted country after fleeing Afghanistan,” it read.

“His journey from Afghanistan to Auburn and the challenges he has faced and the support he received from The Helmsman Program along the way has shaped him into the young man he is today.”

It is further understood Mr Nadir works at a medical practice in Sydney CBD. His photo no longer appears on the company website.

Ms Abu Lebdeh is understood to have been employed with NSW Health for the past several years.

In the video, Mr Nadir says: “You have no idea how many (Israeli people) come to this hospital … I send to Jahannam”.

Jahannam is the Arabic translation for “hell”.

Ms Abu Lebdeh later says: “It’s Palestine’s country, not your country you piece of s**t”.“One day your time will come. One day you’ll die the most …” before the recording cuts out.

A joint investigation between NSW Police and Health has commenced and will examine Mr Nadir and Ms Abu Lebdeh’s interactions with Jewish members of the public.

The NSW Police Strike Force Pearl will be leading the investigation.

Originally published as Sydney nurses Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh stood down over vile video