NSW nurses and midwives condemn 'abhorrent' alleged remarks made by two Sydney nurses in video

NSW nurses today ditched their planned pay dispute picket outside state parliament to stand in solidarity against hate speech and antisemitism.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) held a demonstration outside NSW parliament after two Sydney nurses were stood down from their jobs at Bankstown Hospital over alleged antisemitic remarks made in a video.

Around 100 nurses and midwives gathered with signs at a rally in the Sydney CBD with messages such as "no hate in health care", "care without bias" and "be kind, be inclusive".

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"The NSWNMA reiterates its condemnation of all forms of racism, bigotry and hatred, including acts of antisemitism and Islamophobia," the association said in a statement.

NSWNMA said it decided against its pay dispute picket today in favour of promoting "cultural harmony" following NSW Health's decision to stand down the two nurses.

The message of "we stand against hate in healthcare" was echoed by NSWNMA members during the rally.

NSWNMA acting general secretary Michael Waites said he was "disgusted" after footage emerged of two nurses, Ahmad "Rashad" Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, allegedly claiming they would kill Israeli patients if they had to treat them.

"We find the comments to be abhorrent, and I want to reassure the people of Australia, of NSW, of our Jewish communities, our Israeli communities, that they do not speak for nurses and midwives, they do not speak for our profession," Whaites said.

"Health practitioners are bound by codes of conduct to care for all people, regardless of their circumstances. There is no room for this type of behaviour in our healthcare systems."

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Whaites added: "The alleged conduct portrayed is deplorable, unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.

"We are supporting our members at Bankstown Hospital who have been affected by the alleged actions of the two nurses involved."

Nadir and Lebdeh were on shift at Bankstown Hospital when they had a conversation that was being recorded with Jewish influencer Max Veifer via the social website Chatruletka.

NSW Health immediately stood down Nadir and Lebdeh when their comments came to light yesterday. 

Police swiftly interviewed other staff on shift at the time the video was recorded and seized CCTV from the hospital.

Speaking on 2GB this morning, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the investigation would hinge on the full unedited video to be provided by Veifer.

"We need this to be watertight and critical to that is the evidence from the influencer," she said.

She said police had not spoken to either of the nurses seen in the video, but had been in contact with their lawyers.

Neither Nadir or Lebdeh have been charged with any criminal offences, and Webb said the decision on whether to do so would depend on the evidence gathered.

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