Call to Investigate All Patient Records at Hospital After Kill Threats Against Israelis

Israel flags marking one year since Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel on Capitol Hill in Washington on Oct. 7, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

The threat by two nurses from Bankstown Hospital in Sydney to kill Israeli patients has drawn into question the safety of all patients treated within New South Wales (NSW) public hospitals.

The two health workers boasted in a video that they had and would continue to harm Israeli patients. This video is still under police forensic investigation.

One of the nurses was seen in the footage saying “I won’t treat them, I will kill them“ in relation to Israeli patients, while the other said, ”You have no ideal how many [Israelis] came to this hospital, and I sent them to Jahannam [hell].

Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane, who represents an electorate in Sydney’s east with a high Jewish population, called for all patients records to be examined at the hospital.

“The records of all patients treated by the Bankstown Hospital staff must be urgently reviewed and examined for any adverse or unexplained outcomes. Additionally there should be a review of the broader workplace culture,” she said.

“This vile and dangerous ideology has no place in society—let alone our hospitals. I thank the minister for his swift action in launching an investigation and referring the matter to police.”

However, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park told the ABC that at the current stage, there is “no evidence” any patients have been adversely impacted.

He pointed out the investigation was still in its early stages and said he wants to restore the trust of the Jewish community and the wider public.

NSW Health has also begun the review of the situation at the hospital, which Park said would be a “very challenging and probably a long process.”

The health department was making sure there were not any other patients who have “had adverse outcomes as a result of these two individuals and the care that they provided individuals at the hospital,” he said.

“We’ve only really began that detailed work and I have to do this thoroughly, it has to be done very, very diligently because I want to be able to make sure that I can assure the community, and in particular the Jewish community who were hurting over the last 24 hours, that they can continue to have faith confidence and trust in our health and hospital system here in NSW.”

The two nurses have been suspended after the footage shared by Israeli social media influencer Max Veifer circulated online.

Park, who paid a visit to Bankstown Hospital on Feb. 13, also reiterated the vast majority of NSW Health workers go to work every day to do their very best for their patients and community.

“I don’t want in any way or shape or form to think that these two individuals appalling disgusting actions in any way reflects on the work dedication and commitment our 180,000 NSW employees provide the community every day,” he said.

NSW Police Force Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed a Strike Pearl investigation was well underway and detectives had managed to interview staff at the Bankstown hospital.

“It is unthinkable that we are confronted with, and forced to, investigate such an appalling incident,” he said.

The Epoch Times has contacted NSW Health for comment.

Widespread Reaction to the Video

In response to the video, a wide range of groups and associations have reacted, including Jewish and Islamic groups along with medical unions.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) condemned “all forms of racism, bigotry, and hatred, including acts of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.”

In addition, Australian Medical Association President Dr Kathryn Austin condemned the anti-Semitic commentary within the health system in the strongest possible terms.

“On behalf of NSW doctors, we want to make it very clear that doctors, nurses and other health practitioners are committed to providing the best possible care to every patient in NSW,” she said.

The incident has also sparked yet more concerns about rising anti-Semitism in Australia and raised fears within the Jewish community.

Co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, said the video of the two nurses was “utterly sickening to watch.”

“Their unrepentant, gleeful hatred is the precursor to the violence we are experiencing in our country and it must be stamped out,” he said.

“It is this hatred and dehumanisation of Jews that causes wars and the carnage of Oct. 7 and if left unchecked it will further degrade our society. Time for consequences.”

Meanwhile, the Australian Islamic Medical Association said they were deeply concerned about a recently filmed video that had circulated online.

“Such behaviour undermines the ethical principles of the medical profession and the trust patients place in healthcare providers. We urge relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and accountability in healthcare,” the group said.