Healthcare Representatives Condemn Nurses In Antisemitic Video

Representatives across the medical industry have condemned two Sydney nurses who were recorded on video threatening harm to Israeli patients.

The video, posted to social media by Israeli influencer Max Veifer, showed the two nurses speaking to him via Chatruletka, an app that randomly pairs users on video calls.

In the video, Veifer asks what they would do if an Israeli patient needed treatment. The two nurses tell Veifer they had refused to treat Israeli patients.

“I won’t treat them, I will kill them,” says the woman.

The man added: “You have no idea how many [Israelis] came to this hospital, and I sent them to Jehannam.”

The nurses were identified as workers from Bankstown Hospital and have been stood down immediately.

Strike Force Pearl, the antisemitism investigation team established by NSW Police, worked through the night on Wednesday, and into Thursday. Their investigations are ongoing.

President of the NSW Branch of the Australian Medical Association, Kathryn Austin said it condemned the “antisemitic commentary” in the strongest possible terms.

“We want to make it very clear that doctors, nurses and other health practitioners are committed to providing the best possible care to every patient in NSW,” Dr Austin said.

Nurses rallied in Martin Place on Thursday morning to condemn any form of bigotry in the public health system.

Acting general secretary of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association said the conduct of the nurses in the video was “deplorable, unacceptable and cannot be tolerated”.

“Health practitioners are bound by codes of conduct to care for all people, regardless of their circumstances.

“Our membership embraces many cultures and we are all shocked by [Wednesday’s] events. Members of trade unions stand together, united in opposing racism, bigotry and hatred,” he said.

Patients seemingly unharmed

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park says there is “no evidence” any patients have been harmed by the Bankstown nurses.

“There’s no evidence that there are more adverse patient outcomes at this particular hospital than other particular hospitals,” Mr Park said.

“So there’s nothing to indicate anything at this stage.

“But I want to be clear — we’ve really only begun that detailed work.”

Mohamad Sakr, the solicitor representing one of the nurses, said that his client had sent a “very sincere apology to not only that individual, but to the Jewish community as a whole”.

“He understands what has happened, he is trying to make amends for what has happened,” Mr Sakr said.

“He has never appeared before the court in relation to any criminal matters. He is a person of prior good character. It is unfortunate to find himself in a situation like this.”