In a recent development from Sydney, a nurse has been accused of issuing threats through an online platform, following her declaration in a video that she would refuse to treat Israeli patients. This incident led to the arrest of Sarah Abu Lebdeh, aged 26, who now faces federal charges including threatening violence against a specific group, using a communication service to threaten lives, and employing it to intimidate and harass. The penalties for these charges could amount to a maximum of 22 years in prison.
As of now, neither Abu Lebdeh nor her legal representative has provided any remarks on the allegations. Following her arrest, she was granted bail and is scheduled to appear in a Sydney court on March 19.
The controversy intensified after Abu Lebdeh and another nurse, Ahmed Rashid Nadir, were put on suspension from Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital earlier in February. This action followed their involvement in an online conversation with Israeli influencer Max Veifer, where Abu Lebdeh expressed her refusal to attend to Israeli patients and Nadir implied he had taken Israeli lives. The police are still to interview Nadir regarding the incident.
In light of the situation, the hospital administration conducted a thorough review of patient records and reassured that there is no evidence indicating any harm inflicted on patients by the nurses.
This incident surfaces amidst a backdrop of rising antisemitic incidents in Australia. The country has witnessed an increase in attacks and rhetoric that have significantly impacted the community. In the past year alone, properties have been vandalized, and there have been arson attacks targeting a school and two synagogues, reflecting the challenging climate facing the Jewish community in Australia.
