Article content
Two medical professionals in Australia were suspended from their work at a hospital after they were filmed speaking about not treating and killing Israelis at work, local media reported on Wednesday.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation identified the two as health workers from Bankstown Hospital in the southwestern part of Sydney in New South Wales.
Article content
The incident occurred amid an unprecedented increase in antisemitic incidents in Australia in recent months, which some critics have attributed in part to inaction or hostility to Israel by the Labour-led federal government.
Max Veifer, a vlogger from Israel, connected with the pair on the app Chatruletka, which links users at random.
โEventually youโre going to get killed and go to Jahannam (hell), inshallah,โ the first one told Veifer after he identified himself as Israeli.
The second, wearing a Muslim headscarf, comes into the frame of the video and tells Veifer: โItโs Palestineโs country, not your country, you piece of shit.โ She then said: โWhen your time comes, I want you to remember my face so you can understand you will die the most disgusting death.โ
โI wonโt treat them, I will kill them,โ she added.
One of the two, who initially falsely self-identified as a physician, told Veifer, โYou have no idea how many Israeli dog(s) came to this hospital and I send them to Jahannam.โ
His lawyer told ABC that his client had sent a โvery sincere apology to not only that individual, but to the Jewish community as a whole.โ
Article content
Recommended from Editorial
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a statement called the footage โsickening and shamefulโ and welcomed the removal of the two from the NSW health system.
NSW Premier Chris Minns told 2GB Sydney radio that both employees โhave been immediately stood down pending a full investigation.โ
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park called the video โone of the most vile, shocking and appalling videos Iโve ever seen.โ
He added: โI say to the people of New South Wales, but in particular the Jewish community, I as the New South Wales health minister am so very sorry that youโre having to deal with this this morning.โ
Australia Medical Association President Kathryn Austin said the association condemned โin the strongest possible terms todayโs antisemitic commentary within the health systemโ and that โthere is no place for hatred or division in the health system, and this behaviour will not be tolerated.โ
Many among Australiaโs Jewish population of about 115,000 are feeling uneasy following a series of antisemitic attacks in the countryโs two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne โ including arson attacks on synagogues and a childcare centre, as well as swastikas defacing buildings and vehicles.
Article content
In late January, authorities reported foiling a potential โmass casualtyโ attack after discovering a trailer loaded with explosives in northwest Sydney, with โsome indicationsโ it was intended to target the Jewish community.
Authorities are investigating more than a dozen โserious allegationsโ among more than 166 reports of antisemitic attacks received since mid-December, when police launched a special operation to curb antisemitic attacks.
Australiaโs parliament last week enacted stringent laws to address hate crimes, introducing mandatory minimum sentences for terrorism offences and the display of hate symbols.
Share this article in your social network