Two Australian nurses have been suspended and are under police investigation after a video emerged in which they appeared to threaten Israeli patients, boasting about denying them medical treatment or even killing them. The footage, which was shared widely online, was recorded at Bankstown Hospital in Sydney.
The video, first posted on TikTok by Israeli content creator Max Veifer, shows a man and a woman wearing hospital uniforms making antisemitic remarks. The male nurse, who falsely claimed to be a doctor, told Veifer that he sends Israelis to “Jahannam,” an Islamic term for hell, while making a throat-slitting gesture. The female nurse went further, saying, “I won’t treat them, I will kill them.”
Swift Action by Authorities
New South Wales (NSW) Health Minister Ryan Park condemned the video as “vile and disgusting” and confirmed that the two health workers had been immediately stood down. He assured the public that they would never work in the NSW healthcare system again. Park also apologized to the Jewish community and promised a full investigation to ensure no harm had come to patients.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also denounced the video, calling it “sickening and shameful.” He warned that individuals who commit antisemitic crimes would face the “full force” of Australian law. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler emphasized that healthcare professionals are bound by a duty to treat all patients equally, regardless of nationality or background.
The investigation into the nurses is being led by Strike Force Pearl, a NSW police task force dedicated to tackling antisemitic crimes. Officials have already examined hospital records and found no immediate evidence of harm to Jewish patients. However, authorities are continuing to investigate whether the nurses’ actions went beyond online rhetoric.
Rising Antisemitism in Australia
The incident has fueled concerns about the rising wave of antisemitism in Australia, which has escalated amid the Israel-Gaza war. In recent months, Jewish homes, cars, and synagogues have been targeted in arson and graffiti attacks.
One of the most alarming incidents involved the discovery of a caravan packed with explosives and a document listing Jewish targets in Sydney. Police warned that the explosives had the potential to cause a “mass casualty event.” This, along with other recent attacks, has left Australia’s Jewish community feeling vulnerable.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, an advocacy group, described the hospital video as “absolutely chilling and horrific.” Co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the casual and open way in which the nurses spoke about harming Jewish patients highlighted the urgent need to combat antisemitism in Australian society.
Government Response
Australia recently passed stricter laws against hate crimes, making public Nazi salutes and other hate symbols punishable by up to six years in prison. Officials say such laws are critical in addressing growing threats against minority communities.
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Health Minister Park reassured the public that NSW hospitals remain safe and committed to providing world-class care to all patients. “There is no place in our healthcare system or our society for such hateful views,” he said.