Two NSW Health Nurses Suspended After Antisemitic Video Surfaces, Suggesting Harm to Israeli Patients

 From Care to Controversy: Sydney Nurses Suspended Over Antisemitic Video

×

Two nurses from Sydney have been identified and suspended from their jobs after a video containing antisemitic remarks went viral. Ahmad ‘Rashad’ Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, who worked at Bankstown Hospital, were stood down following the circulation of the video, where they were seen discussing refusing to treat Israeli patients and even suggesting violence against them.

The two-minute clip, filmed during a night shift, shows the pair wearing NSW Health scrubs. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed that an investigation involving both the health department and NSW Police is ongoing. Premier Chris Minns also stated that the nurses had been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

Nadir, speaking from his home in Bankstown, claimed his comments were meant as a “joke” and expressed his intention to apologize publicly to the Jewish community and anyone else he offended. “It was a joke, a misunderstanding… I will use social media, anything, to apologize, but I need to meet with the detectives first,” he told News Corp. He described the situation as “serious” and acknowledged the widespread media attention it has received. “I didn’t mean to offend,” he added.

Nadir, originally from Afghanistan, moved to Australia at the age of 12 and became an Australian citizen in 2020. He celebrated his citizenship on social media at the time, posting, “Congrats to me, I’m officially an Australian Citizen. Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi.”

Sarah Abu Lebdeh, the other nurse involved, has been with NSW Health for several years. In the video, which was shared by Jewish influencer Max Veifer on TikTok, Nadir made threatening remarks toward Veifer, while Abu Lebdeh chimed in with inflammatory comments about Palestine.

Nadir, who holds a diploma and a bachelor’s degree in nursing, had also been working part-time at a medical clinic in Sydney’s CBD. A representative from the clinic confirmed that he has been suspended from his role there as well. His brother, who works as a paramedic with NSW Ambulance, has not been implicated in the incident.

The video has sparked significant backlash, with many condemning the nurses’ behavior as unacceptable, particularly given their roles in healthcare. The investigation into the matter is ongoing, and further actions may be taken depending on its findings.