NSW Nurses Stood Down After Video Allegedly Shows Them Bragging About Killing Israeli Patients
A Sydney nurse who made disturbing remarks about Israeli patients in a leaked video has been identified as Ahmad “Rashad” Nadir, an Afghani refugee who recently became an Australian citizen.
Nadir, along with his colleague Sarah Abu Lebdeh from Bankstown Hospital, was suspended after making hateful comments during a livestream with an Israeli influencer. The video, which has sparked widespread outrage, shows Nadir and Abu Lebdeh expressing violent and antisemitic sentiments.
Background of Ahmad Nadir
Nadir fled Afghanistan as a teenager and later pursued a career in nursing. He worked one day a week at a medical center in Sydney’s CBD, in addition to his role at Bankstown Hospital. Previously, he was featured in an SBS report highlighting disadvantaged youth aspiring to become doctors.
Before his nursing career, Nadir participated in the Chester Hill Helmsman Project, a non-profit initiative aimed at building life skills among young people. In a 2014 interview, he credited the program for improving his communication skills and leadership abilities.
The Disturbing Video
During the live stream, Nadir directed shocking comments toward the Jewish influencer, saying:
“I’m gonna be really honest with you … you actually got really, really beautiful eyes, but I’m so upset that you’re Israeli. Like eventually, you’re going to get killed.”
When the influencer asked why, Abu Lebdeh responded, “It’s Palestine’s country, not your country, you piece of s***.”
She continued: “One day your time will come, and you will die the most disgusting death.”
Nadir added, “You have no idea how many Israeli… dog came to this hospital and…” before making a throat-slitting gesture and saying, “I literally sent them to Jahannam [hell].”
Investigation Underway
The NSW police and NSW Health are conducting an investigation into the incident.
Strike Force Pearl, which investigates antisemitic attacks, has taken charge of the case.
Police officers were seen at Bankstown Hospital, and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has offered its support under Special Operation Avalite.
No charges have been laid at this stage.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park strongly condemned the remarks, stating: “The comments are vile, dehumanizing, and unacceptable. If the investigation confirms this behavior, these individuals will no longer be working for NSW Health.”
Political and Community Reactions
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the video “sickening and shameful.”
“The antisemitic video circulating today is disgusting. The comments are vile,” he said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
“These individuals have been stood down by NSW Authorities and referred to NSW Police for a criminal investigation.”
He vowed that “those who commit criminal antisemitic acts will face the full force of our laws.”
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler & Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke
In a joint statement, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke condemned the video as “chilling and vile.”
“Health workers have a solemn duty to treat and heal everyone who comes before them needing help.”
“The idea that you would single out a particular group in our community and indicate you wouldn’t care for them runs against every single principle in our health care system.”
Jewish Community Response
Alex Ryvchin, Co-Chief Executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, described the video as “utterly sickening.”
“Their unrepentant, gleeful hatred is the precursor to the violence we are experiencing in our country, and it must be stamped out.”
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. We need to understand and confront this ideology before it causes further harm.”
Medical Community Reacts
Jewish medical oncologist Dr. Michael Krasovitsky of St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney expressed his horror at the comments made by fellow healthcare workers.
“To hear that two colleagues of mine so deeply hate Israeli and Jewish people is simply terrifying.”
“No matter our ethnicity, political beliefs, sexuality, gender or other defining characteristics, we all deserve respect, and all deserve compassionate and best-practice health care.
The Australian Medical Association (NSW) also denounced the comments:
“On behalf of NSW doctors, we want to make it very clear that health practitioners are committed to providing the best possible care to every patient in NSW.”
“There is no place for hatred or division in the health system. Our hospitals must remain safe havens for all patients.”
Conclusion
The leaked video has ignited a nationwide debate on professional ethics and the dangers of extremism within essential services. With investigations ongoing, there are growing calls for accountability, stronger vetting in healthcare recruitment, and increased vigilance against hate speech in professional environments.
As the legal and institutional response unfolds, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility healthcare workers bear in providing care without bias, and the need to ensure Australia’s health system remains a place of safety and integrity for all.
