In a shocking and disturbing incident, two nurses from Bankstown Hospital in Sydney, Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, were filmed making vile and anti-Semitic remarks during a public video chat. The footage, released by a Jewish influencer, showed the pair hurling insults at Jewish people and threatening violence. In the video, Abu Lebdeh declared, “It’s Palestine’s country, not your country, you piece of s***,” and both nurses claimed they would not treat Israeli people. Abu Lebdeh went further, stating, “I’ll kill them,” while Nadir made a slashing gesture across his throat and referred to Israelis as “dogs,” sending them to [hell]. The video sparked widespread outrage, and both nurses were promptly stood down by NSW Health while an investigation was launched.
The fallout from the video has taken a significant toll on Abu Lebdeh, with her uncle revealing that she is suffering from an “extreme panic attack” and may require an ambulance. Speaking to The Australian, her uncle expressed his concern, stating, “She’s been a nurse for God knows how long. She’s never done anything to hurt anyone.” He also mentioned that he was trying to calm her down and understand what had happened. Meanwhile, Nadir, who has since broken his silence, has attempted to downplay the incident, describing the comments as “a joke and a misunderstanding.” He promised to apologize to the Jewish community and anyone he may have offended, but only after speaking with the police, who are now investigating the matter. Nadir, who was born in Afghanistan and fled to Australia with his family as a child, emphasized that he did not mean to offend and that the situation was not as it seemed.
Nadir’s background is one of resilience and hard work. After his father was killed in Afghanistan, he and his mother, Sami, embarked on a perilous journey to Australia, passing through Iran, Malaysia, and Indonesia before boarding a boat bound for Australian shores. They were rescued by the Australian Navy after four nights at sea and eventually settled in Sydney. Nadir has worked at Bankstown Hospital since 2021 and also spent time at Observatory Hill Medical Centre in central Sydney, where he was widely liked by colleagues. However, he has since been fired from the medical center due to the incident. Outside of his nursing career, Nadir has been involved with the Chester Hill Helmsman Project, a non-profit organization that helps disadvantaged youth develop life skills. The program highlighted his journey from Afghanistan to Australia and the challenges he overcame, describing him as a young man shaped by his experiences and the support he received.
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from public figures and officials. Health Minister Ryan Park labeled the nurses’ behavior as “disgusting” and “appalling,” stating that their actions were “an act of bastardry” that would not diminish the value of NSW Health staff. He emphasized that if the investigation confirmed their involvement, they would never work for NSW Health again. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also weighed in, calling the comments “vile” and “sickening,” driven by hate and with no place in Australia’s health system or society. He highlighted that the individuals had been stood down and referred to the police for a criminal investigation. The Prime Minister made it clear that anyone committing anti-Semitic acts would face the full force of the law.
The video has also sparked concerns about rising anti-Semitism in Australia. Sharren Haskel, Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister, called for an immediate investigation into the nurses’ threats, describing their comments as “criminal intent towards Jewish people.” She warned that the “disease” of anti-Semitism was spreading in Australia and demanded that those responsible face severe consequences, including dismissal. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, described the video as “utterly sickening,” highlighting the nurses’ “unrepentant, gleeful hatred” as a precursor to violence. He called for their immediate removal from any position where they could act on their threats and emphasized that blaming Jewish people for the hatred they endure was unacceptable. David Ossip, president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, echoed these sentiments, stating that it was sickening to see healthcare workers spewing such hatred while wearing NSW-branded scrubs. He called for any healthcare worker holding such views to be deregistered in Australia.
The incident has also raised questions about the broader context of anti-Semitic incidents in Australia and the need for stronger laws to address religious hatred. proposed legislation aimed at halting the incitement of religious hatred has been delayed, with lawmakers navigating a fine line between protecting freedom of speech and addressing the growing threat of anti-Semitism. The video has served as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by Jewish communities in Australia and beyond, with many calling for swift and decisive action to combat this growing wave of hate. As the investigation into Nadir and Abu Lebdeh continues, the case has ignited a broader conversation about tolerance, accountability, and the need for societal change to address the scourge of anti-Semitism.
