An Australian hospital is currently reviewing patient records following a disturbing claim made by a nurse online, where she stated to have harmed Israelis. Authorities have emphasized that no evidence of harm to patients has been found.
This claim comes amidst a troubling surge in antisemitic attacks and rhetoric in Australia, with incidents such as vandalism of homes, offices, and businesses, as well as arson attacks on a school and two synagogues over the past year.
A police task force has been established in Sydney to address antisemitic crimes, particularly since the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023. The task force is investigating potential offenses related to the online video, including potential breaches of hate speech laws.
Hate crime officials in Sydney and Melbourne are separately looking into a trailer containing explosives, a list of potential Jewish targets, and arson attacks on two synagogues.
Two nurses involved in an online discussion with an Israeli influencer during a night shift at Bankstown Hospital in Sydney have been suspended and will not be employed by the state health department again, according to Health Minister Ryan Park.
Jewish leader Alex Ryvchin has expressed concerns about increasing extremism among medical professionals towards Sydney's Jewish community, stating that this behavior is not isolated.
The video involving the nurses, where they made disturbing remarks about Israeli patients, prompted swift action from authorities. The hospital investigation has not revealed any harm to Jewish patients.
The Israeli influencer, known for exposing antisemitism, has not yet commented on the incident. The nurses purported to be doctors in the video, with no immediate information from their supervisors.
Health Minister Park has reassured the Jewish community of the continued high-quality care in hospitals and pledged to thoroughly review the hospital's past record.
