Australian Nurses Suspended After Antisemitic Remarks Go Viral

Two nurses from a Sydney hospital face suspension and police investigation following the emergence of a disturbing TikTok video where they made threats against Israeli patients. The incident raises alarms amidst increasing hate crimes in Australia.

Two nurses from a Sydney hospital have been suspended following the circulation of a shocking TikTok video where they reportedly made threats to kill Israeli patients and bragged about refusing to treat them. The disturbing footage prompted immediate action from health authorities and police in New South Wales (NSW), who confirmed that an investigation is underway.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park emphasized that a "thorough investigation" will be conducted to ensure there were "no adverse [patient] outcomes," while initial hospital records showed no unusual incidents. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the video as "sickening and shameful," coming in the wake of new legislation aimed at curbing hate crimes following several antisemitic incidents in the country.

The police reported they had "identified the individuals involved" in the video recorded at a hospital. Both nurses have been stood down and assured they will never again work within the NSW healthcare system. The TikTok video, shared by Israeli content creator Max Veifer, captured one individual falsely claiming to be a doctor, who made derogatory comments about Israelis and mimicked a throat-slit gesture. A female nurse accompanying him stated she would not treat Israelis and shockingly added, "I will kill them."

Reacting to the video, Prime Minister Albanese took to social media, describing the comments as "disgusting" and rooted in hate, underlining the necessity for strict legal consequences for criminal antisemitic actions. Minister Park publicly apologized to the Jewish community and reassured them of their right to expect top-quality healthcare in NSW, labeling the views expressed in the video as entirely unacceptable.

This incident comes against a backdrop of increasing anti-Jewish sentiment, highlighted by recent arson and graffiti attacks targeting Jewish neighborhoods in Australia. Earlier this year, police discovered an explosive-laden caravan in NSW, alongside documents containing antisemitic messages and a list of Jewish targets in Sydney. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, stated that the video serves as a cautionary sign for Australians regarding the pervasive nature of hatred in society.