Two nurses who issued death threats against an Israeli man and other Jewish individuals on camera have been suspended from practice.

The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care announced Thursday that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of New South Wales (NSW) immediately suspended registered nurses Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh.

Nadir and Lebdeh, initially misrepresenting themselves as doctors while in scrubs, made the threats to Israeli influencer Max Veifer during an international video chat on Chatrouletka.

After inquiring about Veifer’s nationality, Lebdeh reportedly stated, “it’s Australia, not your country you piece of s—,” and threatened Veifer with a gruesome death, vowing he would remember her face.

Nadir joined in, and both nurses declared they would refuse treatment and kill Veifer if he came to Australia. Nadir further illustrated his threat with a throat-slashing gesture.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency consequently updated its public register, preventing the Bankstown Hospital nurses from practicing anywhere in Australia.

“The notion of singling out a community group and refusing care, much less threatening their lives, violates every principle of our healthcare system,” the health department stated.

Officials condemned the nurses’ comments and the underlying hatred, asserting they are unacceptable in Australia’s health system and the country as a whole. The department emphasized Australians’ right to safety, especially in hospitals, highlighting health workers’ duty to treat all patients. They affirmed that the vast majority of health workers uphold this oath.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Tuesday that the pair were appropriately referred to NSW Police for investigation.

“Individuals found guilty of criminal antisemitic acts will face the full force of the law,” Albanese posted on X, describing the footage as sickening and shameful.

Australia enacted a hate crimes bill on Wednesday, introducing mandatory minimum penalties for hate crimes, including six years for terrorism, three years for financing terrorism, and one year for displaying hate symbols.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park stated that while the investigation is ongoing, there is no evidence the nurses harmed patients under their care.

Lebdeh’s family reportedly told news outlets that she was “baited” and is “sorry,” according to the New York Post. Israel’s Israel Hayom published a piece titled “Sorry, not sorry,” accusing the nurses of downplaying the incident.

Sharren Haskel, Israel’s deputy minister of foreign affairs, praised Australian officials on X, calling the nurses “racist” and advocating for zero tolerance for racism and antisemitism, demanding that threats be met with the full force of the law.

A synagogue was firebombed in Melbourne on December 6, an incident authorities are investigating as a potential hate crime. Reports also detail car arsons and vandalism targeting Sydney’s Jewish community.