Investigation launched after disturbing online claims
An Australian hospital is reviewing patient records after a nurse claimed online to have killed Israelis, officials confirmed on Wednesday. However, authorities emphasized that no evidence of harm to patients has been uncovered so far.
This incident is part of a growing wave of antisemitic crimes in Australia. Over the past year, homes, offices, and businesses have been vandalized, while a school and two synagogues have been set on fire.
Police launch investigation into hate speech violations
A special police strike force in Sydney set up to tackle antisemitic crimes since the Israel-Hamas war began in 2023, is now investigating whether the nurse’s comments violate hate speech laws.
Meanwhile, officials in Sydney and Melbourne—where 85% of Australia’s Jewish population lives—are separately investigating a trailer filled with explosives, a list of Jewish targets, and recent synagogue arson attacks.
Hospital suspends two nurses over shocking video
Two nurses at Bankstown Hospital in Sydney participated in an online discussion with Israeli influencer Max Veifer during their night shift. In the video, they allegedly made violent threats against Israeli patients.
Following the video’s circulation, both nurses were suspended immediately on Wednesday.
New South Wales health minister Ryan Park condemned their actions, saying:
“They are vile, disgusting, and deranged individuals.”
He also assured the Jewish community that hospital care remains first-class, adding that past records at Bankstown Hospital would also be reviewed.
Concerns over rising extremism in Australia’s medical community
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, warned that extremism among medical professionals is on the rise.
“For months, I’ve been hearing from medical practitioners in the community who have been warning about extreme content posted by other doctors and nurses online,” Ryvchin told Network 10.
He also suggested that these incidents are not isolated cases, calling them “the tip of the iceberg.”
The video and its origins
The video featuring the nurses was posted by Max Veifer, an Israeli right-wing activist who records video conversations with random users to expose anti-Israel rhetoric.
In the clip:
- The female nurse said she wouldn’t treat an Israeli patient but would kill them.
- The male nurse used expletives and made a throat-slitting gesture.
Authorities have not released the nurses’ names, and their supervisors have not provided further details.
Hospital and government response
Health minister Ryan Park confirmed that an internal investigation found no evidence of Jewish patients being harmed at Bankstown Hospital.
“To the Jewish community today, I say not only am I sorry, but I can assure you this: the care that you get in our hospitals will continue to be first-class,” Park stated.
Authorities are now examining past hospital records to ensure that no patients were harmed before this scandal came to light.
