Israeli content creator Max Veifer, who spoke with two Australian health care workers who were recorded making threats against Israelis, has been called to testify in their trial in Sydney, he announced Sunday. In a post on Instagram, Veifer asked for help funding additional security during his stay in Australia later this month.
Last week, an appeals court ruled that the video in which the two health care workers allegedly threatened Israelis could be admitted as evidence in their trial.
The conversation between Veifer and the defendants
Veifer referred to the video he posted featuring Ahmad “Rashad” Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, who allegedly boasted that they would kill Israeli patients and said they would refuse to treat wounded or sick Israelis if asked to do so.
Veifer said millions of people had seen the original video and that he had now been formally summoned to Australia to testify in person. He said he expects to remain there for nearly a week, with Australian authorities covering his flights, meals, hotel accommodations, police transportation and a police presence at the courthouse, support for which he expressed gratitude.
Veifer also said he is concerned about his safety while in Australia. He noted that over the past year he has received numerous threats because of his public work and said that because his face and name are widely known, he is unwilling to take risks, particularly in light of recent events in Australia and what he described as rising antisemitism worldwide.
Invoking a Torah commandment to safeguard one’s life, Veifer said Jews have survived for thousands of years by learning to protect themselves and one another and by never taking their security for granted.
He said he therefore wants to be protected as fully as possible from the moment he arrives in Australia until he leaves. Whenever he is not covered by official security arrangements, he said, he wants additional licensed security personnel with him.
Veifer appealed directly to Australia’s Jewish community for assistance, saying he wants his message to reach Jewish community leaders, recognized Jewish organizations, community security groups and licensed security companies that could help arrange additional protection. He stressed that any such security would need to be professional, properly licensed and coordinated with New South Wales Police.
Addressing his expected testimony, Veifer said he plans to travel to Australia at the end of the month, appear in court and answer every question honestly. He said his only goal is for the truth to be heard and justice to be done, while leaving the rest to the court. He ended by expressing hope for a safe journey and saying, “Am Yisrael Chai.”
Nadir and Abu Lebdeh in footage posted online
In the video, which was published about a year ago, Veifer told Nadir he was Israeli. Nadir allegedly responded that Veifer would be killed and sent to “Jahannam,” Arabic for hell.
“It makes me so upset that you’re Israeli,” Nadir said. “Eventually you’re going to get killed and go to hell, inshallah.” When Veifer asked why he would be killed, Abu Lebdeh entered the conversation and said: “It’s Palestine’s country, not yours, you piece of s**t.”
Nadir then appeared to suggest that Israeli patients had come to the hospital, saying: “You have no idea how many Israeli dogs came to the hospital, and I send them to hell.”
Abu Lebdeh also attacked Veifer, saying: “When you die, I want you to remember my face so you understand — you will die the most disgusting death.”
She then allegedly boasted that she would refuse to help Israelis, saying: “I won’t treat them. I’ll kill them.”
Nadir joined in, saying he would send Israelis to hell while making a threatening hand gesture. The two, both nurses at the time, were suspended from practice after the video surfaced.