Second nurse charged over video threatening Israeli patients

A nurse in Sydney has been charged by police for allegedly threatening Israeli patients in a video, making her the second nurse to be charged in connection with the incident. This follows widespread attention after the video circulated online, prompting a thorough investigation by authorities.

Ahmed Rashad Nadhir, 27, and Sarah Abu Leebbdeh, 26, were both suspended from Bankstown Hospital in February. The video was filmed on an anonymous online platform that randomly pairs users for chats. Authorities have stated that there is currently "no evidence" that the pair actually harmed patients, but the investigation is ongoing to ensure patient safety.

Mr. Nadhir was charged on Wednesday with using a communication service to menace, harass, or offend, and with possessing a prohibited drug. The communication service refers to modern communication systems such as telephones and the internet. Ms. Leebbdeh was charged last week with three offenses: threatening violence to a group of people, using a communication service to threaten to kill, and using a communication service to harass or cause offense.

Neither has entered a plea to the charges, but Mr. Nadhir apologized last month through his lawyer. In the video, which was posted by an Israeli content creator and allegedly filmed inside the hospital, Ms. Abu Leebbdeh and Mr. Nadhir boasted about refusing to treat Israeli patients, wanting to kill them, and saying they would go to hell. The video went viral, sparking public outrage, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling it "repugnant" and "despicable," emphasizing the government's commitment to combating antisemitism.

Earlier this month, Australia passed tougher hate crime laws following a series of unrelated antisemitic attacks. In recent months, there has been a series of arson and graffiti attacks on Jewish community homes, cars, and synagogues across Australia. Concurrently, Islamophobic incidents have also been on the rise, highlighting the need for increased community vigilance. A Western Australian teenager was charged on Wednesday with threatening to launch a Christchurch-inspired attack on a Sydney mosque.