Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas orders hospital staff to remove anti-Israel, pro-Palestine symbols

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has ordered healthcare staff to remove anti-Israel and pro-Palestine symbols after stickers were found inside Melbourne hospitals.

Victoria’s Health Minister has ordered healthcare staff to remove anti-Israel and pro-Palestine badges or other markings at work, saying political clothing in hospitals is “unacceptable” and warning it “will not be tolerated”.

The call from Mary-Anne Thomas to the leadership of healthcare facilities across Victoria came after the Herald Sun revealed anti-Israel stickers had been slapped on hospital room walls and workers had been pinning pro-Palestine badges to their lanyards.

“Quite frankly, our hospitals are not the place for any political badges, flags or anything that makes patients in any way feel unsafe,” Ms Thomas said on Tuesday.

“The wearing of Palestinian badges does not create a safe environment for patients and will not be tolerated.

“It’s not acceptable.

“Our health services know this, and I know that they are working hard to make sure that their staff know this as well.”

A healthcare worker wearing pro-Palestine badges and attire. Picture: Supplied

The Herald Sun on Monday revealed anti-Israel stickers have been slapped on the walls of Victorian hospital rooms, sparking fears that multicultural tensions had “infiltrated” the state’s healthcare system.

It comes as a video emerged of a Melbourne doctor glorifying Islamic terrorism.

It is understood Dr Mohamed Ghilan was forced to resign from The Alfred hospital late last year after he called slain terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar a “martyr” and labelled Hamas “the resistance” in a speech posted online.

An Alfred Health spokesman said Dr Ghilan had been suspended pending an investigation, but resigned while the probe was still in progress.

And recently, healthcare staff in Melbourne have been seen donning pro-Palestine badges at work, while flyers calling for workers to join “Free Palestine” protests have been strewn across a reception desk at one major hospital.

A hospital staff member wearing a keffiyeh. Picture: Supplied

One Jewish family, who were visiting a sick loved one, found “boycott Israel” stickers on the wall in one ward.

A healthcare worker was also spotted wearing a keffiyeh, which was banned in the Victorian parliament after being deemed political.

Under the Code of Conduct, healthcare professionals in public facilities must remain apolitical.

The keffiyeh was banned in the Victorian parliament after being deemed political.

One Jewish doctor at a major Melbourne hospital, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the protest movement had “certainly infiltrated the hospitals”. 

“They preach all day about cultural safety but have absolutely no interest in pursing Jewish cultural safety,” they said. 

“The online nursing community is also a total cesspool of hatred.

“It has completely destroyed our ability to work professionally with our colleagues. 

“This is not a few bad apples – it is widespread and normalised.”

Ahmad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh have been banned from practising following the shocking hate speech video. Picture: Supplied

It follows an incident at a Sydney hospital, where a nurse vowed to “kill” Israeli patients and another nurse claimed he had already sent Israeli patients to the afterlife.

Jewish Community Council of Victoria chief executive Naomi Levin said the vile video had “deepened the feelings of alienation and intimidation” some Jewish Victorians feel when accessing public services.

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said patients, often in their most vulnerable moments, must be “reassured that the hospital they are in, and their doctors and nurses views, have no influence on the care they are receiving”.

“This is not about religious symbols; Muslims should feel comfortable to wear their hijabs, Sikhs should proudly wear their turbans, and Jews should feel safe to wear their yarmulkes,” he said.

Anti-Israel stickers have been plastered to the walls of hospital rooms in Melbourne. Picture: Supplied

Flyers calling for healthcare staff to join pro-Palestine protests strewn on the reception desk at a major hospital. Picture: Supplied

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victorian Branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said Jewish and Muslim members had expressed concern that the Israel-Gaza conflict had “tipped into their working lives”.

“It’s been a difficult and distressing time for many members,” she said.

“Nurses and midwives must abide by a national code of conduct that articulates the legal requirements, professional behaviour and conduct expectations for both professions.”

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said hospitals were not the place for political statements. 

“Everyone deserves to receive safe and respectful care, and our health services are obligated to provide culturally safe environments,” she said.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Medical Association Australia chairman Dr Ata Rehman condemned the comments allegedly made by the two nurses, saying medical professionals are “entrusted with the profound responsibility of providing care and healing to all individuals, regardless of race, religion, nationality, or gender”.

Originally published as Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas orders hospital staff to remove anti-Israel, pro-Palestine symbols