NSW Health nurses Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh have been stood down and faced widespread condemnation following the release of a video in which they were filmed bragging about killing and refusing to treat Israeli patients at Bankstown Hospital.
The recorded video conversation was with Jewish influencer Max Veifer via the social website Chatruletka and was filmed while on shift at Bankstown Hospital.
At the request of the NSW Police, Mr Veifar has since released the full footage as Police investigate potential criminal charges against Mr Nadir and Ms Ledeh. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb also stated that Mr Veifar had agreed to provide police a statement.
The NSW Nursing and Midwifery Board and the national nursing body Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) suspended the pair’s registrations, ensuring that the two nurses are not allowed to work in any hospital in Australia.
NURSES RECEIVE WIDESPREAD CONDEMNATION
Strong condemnation of the two nurses has been received from all spheres of society.
NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that an “ironclad investigation” was needed and that “we need to send a clear and unambiguous message that if you go to an emergency department, if you’re on a ward anywhere in NSW, you will be treated by people who are highly trained and highly skilled that care about you.”
The Premier’s parliamentary and Labor Party colleague, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, called the incident “one of the most vile, shocking and appalling videos I have ever seen” and stated that the pair would never work in NSW Health again. In defending the process of standing the nurses down pending an investigation, rather than permanently throwing the nurses out, the Minister stated that the appropriate process must be followed to ensure that there is not a “sliver of light” that the nurses are able to work for NSW Health ever again.
The union representing nurses and midwives described the conduct of the two nurses as deplorable, unacceptable and stated that it cannot be tolerated.
Jewish senior figures and groups strongly spoke out against the nurses, as did Islamic senior figures and groups who described the behaviour as contrary to Islamic teachings.
POLICE INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL CRIMINAL CHARGES
Police are investigating whether criminal charges are to be laid against the pair. Whilst investigations are continuing and police have not stated which specific laws may or may not have been breached, when discussing potential offences of this nature it is prudent to be aware that the Federal Government recently amended the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) through the passage of the Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Act 2025 (Cth), in order to strengthen existing offences for urging force or violence. The changes create new offences for threatening force or violence against targeted groups and members of groups. It also expands the list of groups protected by the public display of prohibited hate symbols offences.
POTENTIAL CHANGES TO NSW LEGISLATION
In his criticism of the pair, the NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that new legislation sends an “unambiguous message against hate crimes, antisemitism and racism in general.” Whilst his federal counterparts passed federal legislation, it was likely the NSW Premier was referring to this month’s announcement of a package of NSW Government reforms designed to crack down on a recent escalation of troubling graffiti, racial hatred and antisemitism in the community.
The NSW changes include the introduction of a new criminal offence for intentionally inciting racial hatred, with a proposed maximum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment, as well as the introduction of a new offence in section 93ZA of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) aimed at the display of a Nazi symbol on or near a synagogue, with an increased maximum penalty to 2 years’ imprisonment, and to clarify that graffiti is a ‘public act’.
CONTACT CRIMINAL LAWYERS GROUP NOW
Being accused or charged of a hate crime can have serious implications. The two nurses are facing life-changing and potentially career-ending consequences even prior to any charges having been laid.
If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with a hate crime offence, contact our expert criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation. Our award-winning criminal law specialists have proven results in securing the best outcomes for our clients across NSW.