A Sydney has been charged after allegedly making antisemitic threats in a video that surfaced online earlier this month.
The video, widely shared on social media, features two individuals—identified as nurses at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital—engaging in a conversation with an Israeli influencer. In the footage, they purportedly claim they would refuse treatment to Israeli patients and express intentions to harm them.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb described the charges as a significant development in the investigation. “These charges have been laid following a lot of hard work and legal advice, received yesterday from the Commonwealth DPP,” she said.
The 26-year-old woman, identified as Sarah Abu Lebdeh, was arrested after attending Sutherland Police Station around 7:30 pm local time on Tuesday. She faces three federal charges: threatening violence to a group, using a carriage service to threaten to kill, and using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend. If convicted, she could face up to 22 years in prison.
Abu Lebdeh has been granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on March 19, 2025.
Her colleague, Ahmad Rashad Nadir, who also appeared in the video, remains under investigation. Police have yet to interview him, as he is currently receiving medical treatment following concerns for his well-being.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from healthcare professionals, government officials, and the broader community. Both nurses have been suspended from their positions, and Australia’s health practitioner watchdog has barred them from working in the profession nationwide.
Commissioner Webb acknowledged the complexities of the case, noting the involvement of an overseas influencer and the challenges of cross-border investigations. “Given the nature of this offending—where we had two people here in NSW and the recording made overseas—it’s been a complex investigation. We’re talking across borders,” she told ABC radio.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities emphasizing their commitment to addressing hate speech and ensuring the safety and inclusivity of all community members.
