Bankstown nurse charged over alleged antisemitic video
Source: AAP
A former Bankstown Hospital nurse has been charged over a video in which she allegedly threatened to “kill” Israeli patients.
Sarah Abu Lebdeh was arrested on Tuesday night after a complex investigation by Strike Force Pearl detectives.
The 26-year-old was charged with three commonwealth offences relating to the video, which was filmed at Bankstown Hospital.
The charges include threatening violence to a group, using a carriage service to threaten or kill and using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.
The former nurse, from the Sydney suburb of Condell Park, was granted conditional bail to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, March 19.
Lebdeh and colleague Ahmad Rashad Nadir were filmed in uniform having an online chat with Israeli influencer Max Veifer.
Nadir has not been charged.
In the back and forth with Veifer, a former soldier who reveals in the video he served with the Israeli Defence Forces, Abu Lebdeh threatens him.
“One day, your time will come and you will die the most horrible death,” she says on the video.
The footage sparked shock and outrage from other nurses, government officials – including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns – and the wider community.
Both nurses were barred from working anywhere in Australia in the fallout. They also had their registrations suspended by the NSW Nursing and Midwifery Council.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the charges were a major development in a thorough and exhaustive investigation.
“Strike Force Pearl detectives must be commended for acting swiftly under enormous pressure and public expectation,” Webb said on Wednesday (AEDT).
“These charges have been laid following a lot of hard work and legal advice, received yesterday from the Commonwealth DPP.
“Detectives have overcome obstacles and jurisdictional challenges to get where we are today.
“This is the 14th arrest under Strike Force Pearl, with a total of 76 charges laid – which demonstrates the commitment of strike force detectives investigating these offences.”
She is expected to add further details later on Wednesday.
Investigations under Strike Force Pearl continue.
