Australian nurse suspended after threats to Jewish patients

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An Australian hospital is conducting an investigation after a nurse made online claims about harming Israeli patients, though officials have emphasized that no evidence of patient harm has been discovered.

This incident adds to the growing wave of antisemitic incidents in Australia, where Jewish properties have been targeted with vandalism, and religious buildings, including a school and two synagogues, have faced arson attacks over the past year.

Law enforcement in New South Wales has established a dedicated strike force to address antisemitic crimes since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023. The police are now investigating potential hate speech violations related to the online video, according to state Health Minister Ryan Park.

Meanwhile, hate crime units in Sydney and Melbourne, where the majority of Australia’s Jewish population resides, are separately looking into concerning discoveries including explosives, a list targeting Jewish locations, and synagogue arsons.

The most racist people on earth come from within the Muslim world

Look at the passion

Look at the psychopathic culture that wants to murder Jews

Look what parts of their culture have taught them to think and feel

These racist muslims are NURSES in an Australian hospital pic.twitter.com/DlsN4ykhRv

— leekern (@leekern13) February 12, 2025

The incident occurred during a night shift at Sydney’s Bankstown Hospital, where two nurses participated in an online conversation with Israeli influencer Max Veifer. Both nurses were suspended the following day, with Park declaring they would be permanently barred from working in the state health system.

Park condemned the individuals involved, describing their actions as “vile, disgusting, and deranged.”

Alex Ryvchin, who serves as co-chief executive officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, expressed concern about growing extremism among medical professionals in Sydney targeting the Jewish community.

“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 television, adding this was not the work of “isolated individuals.”

“This is merely the tip of the iceberg,” Ryvchin added.

I am outraged. Every Australian should be. Nurses working in our hospitals have allegedly admitted to wanting to kill people simply because they are Jewish Australians. This is unacceptable.

This is exactly why I have fought for stronger immigration policies for decades. We need… pic.twitter.com/mertxj2P7h

— Pauline Hanson 🇦🇺 (@PaulineHansonOz) February 12, 2025

Officials acted swiftly after the video surfaced online. The nurses, whose identities remain undisclosed, could not be reached for comment, and Veifer has not responded to requests for comment.

Veifer, a right-wing activist from Israel, is known for recording video conversations with global users to promote his English language courses. He has gained attention for videos where he attempts to expose anti-Israel sentiments. In a recent interview with Israel’s right-wing Channel 14, Veifer explained his videos aim to reveal worldwide antisemitism and anti-Israeli attitudes.

During the video, the nurses falsely presented themselves as doctors, according to department secretary Susan Pearce. The female nurse expressed intentions to harm rather than treat Israeli patients, while her male colleague made threatening gestures and used offensive language.

Park assured that an investigation of Bankstown Hospital has found no evidence of harm to Jewish patients. He extended an apology to the Jewish community and promised continued high-quality care, noting that past hospital records would undergo review.