Two health workers employed at Bankstown Hospital in south-west Sydney have been stood down following the emergence of a video in which they spoke about refusing to treat Israeli patients and suggested they would kill them if they sought medical care.
The footage, which surfaced on social media, has prompted a police investigation and condemnation from government officials.
The two-minute video, originally uploaded to TikTok by a Jewish influencer, appears to show a man and a woman in NSW Health uniforms engaging in an antisemitic discussion.
The conversation quickly escalates, with the woman declaring, “I won’t treat them, I won’t treat them. I’ll kill them.” Her male colleague then claims, “You have no idea how many (Israelis) came to this hospital and I sent them to jaheem” — an Arabic term meaning hell.
NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed that the two individuals have been stood down from their positions at Bankstown Hospital. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park also addressed the incident, calling it “appalling” and stating that he was “sick to my stomach” upon viewing the footage.
“There is no place in our hospital and health system for this sort of view to ever take place. There is no place for this sort of perspective in our society,” Mr Park said at a press conference. He assured the public that an investigation involving NSW Health and NSW Police is underway.
The state government has reiterated that hospitals must be places where all residents receive safe, high-quality care, regardless of background. NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce, visibly emotional during the press conference, issued an apology and vowed to support police in their inquiries.
The case has been referred to Strike Force Pearl, a task force established in December to investigate antisemitic attacks in Sydney. NSW Police have yet to release further details on potential charges against the two health workers.
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, described the incident as a “warning sign” about the dangers of unchecked extremism within the community. He also noted concerns raised by Jewish Australians who have reported seeing medical professionals wearing pro-Palestinian symbols in public hospitals, making them feel unsafe.
The video has sparked outrage within the Jewish community and broader society, raising serious questions about bias within the healthcare system. With antisemitic incidents on the rise in Australia, the state government has pledged to take decisive action to prevent discrimination within public institutions.
As investigations continue, NSW Health has assured all residents that the state’s hospitals remain committed to providing unbiased, professional medical care to all patients in need.
The only fair outcome is for their nursing registrations to be cancelled so that they can never work as nurses again.
This is such as sad case, and what worries me more, is to think that I feel that I could be, in the same way, disrespected because I am not a Muslim, and could be considered “a dog” not worth helping.