In the video chat exchange with Israeli activist Max Veifer, one of the healthcare workers falsely identified himself as a doctor and declared he would refuse treatment to Israeli patients, stating, "I won't treat them, I will kill them." He later attempted to downplay the incident, claiming it was "a joke, a misunderstanding."
The same individual made disturbing comments about Veifer's appearance, telling him, "You actually got really, really beautiful eyes, but I'm so upset that you're Israeli. Like, eventually you're going to get killed and you're going to go to Jahannam, inshallah." Jahannam refers to Hell in Arabic. A female colleague then joined the conversation, asserting, "It's Palestine's country, not your country."
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the video as "sickening and shameful." Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed that both individuals were nurses, not doctors, and announced their immediate suspension pending investigation. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency has banned both workers from practicing anywhere in Australia.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of escalating antisemitism in Australia, which has manifested in various forms including vandalism, arson, and the discovery of explosives in a recreational vehicle. The Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, located approximately 30 minutes from Sydney's center, has been identified as the workplace of both suspended healthcare workers.
The case has raised serious concerns about professional conduct in healthcare settings and highlighted the broader issue of rising antisemitism in Australian society.
