Nurse Facing Charges After Allegedly Refusing to Treat Israelis

February 27, 2025 by No Comments

A nurse is facing federal charges after allegedly stating she would refuse treatment to Israeli patients.

Sarah Abu Lebdeh, 26, was arrested on Tuesday following online video comments made earlier this month, according to the Associated Press.

Abu Lebdeh and another nurse, Ahmed Rashid Nadir, were suspended from Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital near Sydney on February 12. The AP reported that Abu Lebdeh stated in a video the night before that she would not treat Israelis, while Nadir implied he had killed Israelis.

The hospital reviewed patient records and found no evidence that the nurses had harmed anyone.

 

The New South Wales Police Force investigated the video posted online.

Police stated the video was “filmed at Bankstown Hospital and circulated widely on social media.”

Abu Lebdeh is charged with threatening violence to a group, using a carriage service to threaten to kill, and using a carriage service to menace, harass, and offend, according to police.

These charges carry a maximum sentence of 22 years in prison.

Abu Lebdeh has been released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on March 19.

 

In the video, a man and woman identifying themselves as doctors were in a conversation with another individual through Chatroulette, a website that pairs strangers internationally for conversations.

After the Israeli man disclosed his nationality, the female worker allegedly said, “it’s Palestine’s country, not your country you piece of s—,” according to the video.

As the Israeli man asked for peace, the conversation became heated, and the woman allegedly said, “when the time comes, I want you to remember my face, so you can understand that you will die the most disgusting death.”

The pair further stated they would refuse to treat the man and would kill him if he came to their hospital.

The man in scrubs allegedly said, “you have no idea how many Israelis came to this hospital and…,” while making a throat-slashing gesture.

‘ Alexandra Koch, Beth Bailey and