Two healthcare workers in Australia who were seen in a video boasting about “killing Israelis” will be banned from practicing public medicine for two years, officials announced Tuesday.
Ahmad “Rashad” Nadir and Sarah Abu Labda, medical professionals at Bankstown Hospital in Sydney, were suspended in February after a video call they took part in went viral. In the footage, which was shared by Israeli content creator Max Viper, the two made inflammatory statements including refusing to treat Israeli patients and threatening to kill them.
During the conversation, Abu Labda told Viper, “One day your time will come and you will die the most horrible death,” adding, “I won’t treat them, I will kill them.” Nadir joined in, saying, “You have no idea how many Israeli dogs came into this hospital and I sent them to hell,” while making a throat-slitting gesture.
Both are facing multiple charges, including threats of violence and murder, and await further sentencing.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the remarks as “despicable comments fueled by hatred” and said such behavior “has no place in our healthcare system or anywhere in Australia.” Police and health authorities opened an investigation following the incident.
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The Jewish community in Australia criticized the government, accusing it of allowing antisemitism to spiral out of control, creating an environment where such statements could be made. Community leaders said this was not the first incident involving healthcare workers and expressed concern over what they described as growing anti-Israel sentiment in hospitals, including doctors politicizing their work and signing anti-Israel petitions.
The two healthcare workers will be prohibited from working or providing public medical services for the next two years.