Australian nurses threaten to kill Israeli patients in online video

Australia recently faced a disturbing incident involving two nurses from Bankstown Hospital who became subjects of a police and health investigation after appearing in a video that surfaced online. The video, shared by Israeli influencer Max Veifer, showed the nurses engaging in an online Chatroulette session purportedly boasting about their willingness to harm Israeli patients. The male nurse, during the discussion, claimed to have sent many Israeli patients 'to hell,' while the female nurse explicitly stated that she would 'kill' Israeli patients. Such sentiments are deeply troubling and reflect an alarming trend of antisemitism, particularly within the healthcare community, as highlighted by Jewish leaders in Australia. The New South Wales Health Minister, Ryan Park, condemned the actions of the nurses, labeling their comments as 'vile' and 'disgusting.' This incident comes at a time when Australia has observed a troubling rise in antisemitic rhetoric and actions, including vandalism targeting Jewish properties and institutions. The police have established a task force to investigate hate crimes in Sydney, especially since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023. The local Jewish community has expressed its concern about the increasing extremism found among medical professionals, revealing that many have felt uncomfortable or unsafe due to threats and hate speech. In response to the video, Bankstown Hospital took immediate action, suspending the involved nurses and stating they would not be allowed to work in the state health department again. The investigation also cleared the way for police to look into the hospital’s past treatment of Jewish patients, ensuring that their care did not reflect the attitudes displayed in the video. Ensuing discussions among high-level authorities in Australia reaffirmed the country’s commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive healthcare environment for all patients, regardless of their ethnicity or background. The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, also publicly disapproved of the remarks made in the video, advocating for a peaceful coexistence and denouncing the hate-driven comments. This event illustrates not only the increasing hostility towards Jewish people in Australia but also raises questions about the ability to deliver unbiased and professional medical care from individuals holding extremist views. Authorities hope that this investigation will lead to greater accountability and awareness to combat the growing tide of hate crimes across the nation.