Australian Nurses Face Backlash Over Disturbing Antisemitic Remarks

Following the emergence of a shocking TikTok video that features two Australian nurses making threatening and antisemitic remarks towards Israeli patients, both have been suspended from their hospital positions. New South Wales authorities are conducting an investigation as public officials, including the Prime Minister, condemn the nurses' statements.

Two nurses in Australia have been suspended amid a growing scandal regarding disturbing comments they made in a TikTok video, where they threaten to harm Israeli patients and explicitly refuse to treat them. The individuals, who work in a Sydney hospital, sparked outrage after the clip surfaced online, prompting New South Wales (NSW) officials and police to initiate an investigation.

The NSW Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed that an immediate investigation would ensure no patients had been adversely affected by the nurses' conduct, although a preliminary review of hospital records revealed no issues. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also weighed in on the situation, calling the video "sickening and shameful" and condemning the hateful rhetoric.

The TikTok video, shared by Israeli creator Max Veifer, captures the exchanges between the nurses and Mr. Veifer while on Chatruletka, an anonymous video chatting platform. In the footage, a male nurse, identified as a doctor, bizarrely compliments Mr. Veifer's eyes before expressing a violent intent towards Israelis, claiming he sends them to Jahannam—a term for hell in Islamic belief. The video escalates when a female nurse declares her refuse to treat Israelis, even stating, "I will kill them."

The highly edited clip, despite containing emojis and bleeps, has not faced any challenge regarding its authenticity. In response to the uproar, Albanese emphasized that such antisemitic attitudes are wholly unacceptable in Australia's health sector or society at large.

Minister Park has extended apologies to the Jewish community, assuring them that they can still expect quality healthcare in NSW, clarifying that the sentiments displayed in the video do not reflect the broader values of the hospital staff or the healthcare system. He noted that employees at the Bankstown hospital felt embarrassed and ashamed by the nurses’ remarks, although he commended their ongoing dedication to patient care.

Antisemitic incidents have surged recently in Australia, with multiple arson and graffiti cases damaging property in Jewish neighborhoods, creating an atmosphere of fear. Notably, authorities reported the discovery of a caravan containing explosives linked to a series of threats targeting Jewish individuals. The co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, described the nurses' video as a crucial reminder of the pervasive antisemitism that persists within Australian society.