A police officer stands next to a wall in Sydney, Australia, where anti-Israel graffiti was spotted on December 11, 2024. AP Photo
An Australian hospital is reviewing patient records after a nurse made an alarming online claim about harming Israeli patients. Officials confirmed on Wednesday that no evidence has been found suggesting any patients were harmed.
The incident is part of a rising wave of antisemitic crimes in Australia, where Jewish homes, businesses, and places of worship have been targeted. Over the past year, multiple synagogues and a school have been set on fire, sparking concerns among Jewish communities.
Authorities in Sydney and Melbourne, where most of Australia’s Jewish population lives, are also investigating a trailer filled with explosives and a list of potential Jewish targets. A police task force, set up to tackle hate crimes since the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, is looking into the recent online video for potential violations of hate speech laws.
Two nurses, who participated in an online conversation with Israeli influencer Max Veifer during their night shift at Sydney’s Bankstown Hospital, have been suspended. The state health minister, Ryan Park, stated that they would never be allowed to work in the public health system again.
“They are vile, disgusting, and deranged individuals,” Park said in a press conference.
Alex Ryvchin, a Jewish community leader, warned that this was not an isolated event. He claimed that extremist views have been spreading among some medical professionals, with disturbing content being posted online for months.
“This is merely the tip of the iceberg,” Ryvchin said, adding that doctors and nurses in the Jewish community had raised concerns for some time.
The video, which quickly gained attention, showed a female nurse saying she would refuse to treat an Israeli patient and instead harm them. The male nurse made offensive remarks and a throat-slitting gesture. Both falsely claimed to be doctors.
Authorities responded swiftly after the footage surfaced. Attempts to contact the nurses have been unsuccessful, and Veifer has not yet commented. Veifer, an Israeli right-wing activist, often records random online conversations to expose antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiments.
The New South Wales health department confirmed that an internal investigation has not found any evidence of harm to Jewish patients at Bankstown Hospital. However, officials will continue to examine past records to ensure that patient care was not compromised.
“To the Jewish community today, I say not only am I sorry, but I can assure you this: the care you receive in our hospitals will continue to be first class,” Park stated.
This case has further intensified concerns about rising antisemitism in Australia, with Jewish leaders urging stronger measures to protect their community. Authorities have vowed to take action against anyone involved in hate crimes and ensure public safety.
