NSW Health, Police take action after "utterly disgusting video"

A social media video that appears to depict two nurses making antisemitic threats has prompted NSW Health and NSW Police action.

12 February

On 12 February, Bankstown Police Area Command launched an investigation into a social media video depicting alleged health workers making antisemitic threats — the video that had circulated widely on social media. Officers attached to Strike Force Pearl took carriage of the investigation.

“This is a sad day for our country, it is unthinkable that we are confronted with, and forced to, investigate such an appalling incident,” NSW Police Force Commissioner Karen Webb APM said in a statement that day. “Detectives have managed to interview staff and establish areas within Bankstown Hospital where detectives believe the video was allegedly filmed.”

In her statement, Webb acknowledged that: “The speed in which this incident was reported by NSW Health significantly assisted detectives in what is a very serious investigation.”

In a separate statement that day, NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM said: “This morning, I was made aware of an utterly disgusting video circulating on social media. NSW Health immediately launched an investigation and contacted NSW Police, who are also investigating.

“The appalling comments and hate speech from the individuals in this video do not represent, and never have, the views or values of NSW Health — this includes the 180,000 dedicated, caring and kind people who make up our workforce.

“NSW Health is committed to fostering an environment of respect and inclusivity. We are proud to provide safe, compassionate and high-quality care to all people across the diverse communities of NSW we serve.

“We understand this disturbing video has caused distress. I can assure you we are treating this matter incredibly seriously.

“There is absolutely no place in NSW Health for these views or behaviour.

“NSW Health condemns the views expressed and behaviour demonstrated in this video and I assure everyone that every person in NSW receives safe, respectful care in our hospitals and health services.”

There has been widespread condemnation among the Australian medical community of the comments made in this video. For example, in statements on 12 February, NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association Acting General Secretary Michael Whaites said the “alleged conduct portrayed is deplorable, unacceptable and cannot be tolerated” and the Australian Medical Association (NSW) stated: “There is no place for hatred or division in the health system and this behaviour will not be tolerated. Our hospitals must remain safe havens for all patients”.

Whaites also said: “Health practitioners are bound by codes of conduct to care for all people, regardless of their circumstances. There is no room for this type of behaviour in our healthcare systems.” He added: “We are supporting our members at Bankstown Hospital who have been affected by the alleged actions of the two nurses involved.”

13 February

In a statement on 13 February, Australia’s Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler advised: “Registration of nurses in New South Wales is the responsibility of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of NSW (the Council). They have now suspended the registrations of registered nurses Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh effective as of 13 February 2025.”

Butler also stated that the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) “has automatically updated their record on the public register of practitioners and as a result this means the two nurses are unable to practise nursing anywhere in Australia, in any context”. Butler added that Australians have a right to feel safe wherever they go and nowhere should be safer than a hospital.

“Health workers have a solemn duty to treat and heal everyone who comes before them needing help. The overwhelming majority hold to that oath,” Butler said. “The idea that you would single out a particular group in our community and indicate you wouldn’t care for them, let alone actively threaten their lives, runs against every single principle in our healthcare system.

“Their sickening comments — and the hatred that underpins them — have no place in our health system and no place anywhere in Australia.”

In its statement, NSW Police Force said it takes hate crimes seriously and encouraged anyone who is the victim of a hate crime or witnesses a hate crime to report the matter to police through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

Image credit: iStock.com/SCM Jeans