A Sydney nurse has been charged with multiple Commonwealth offences after allegedly making antisemitic comments in a viral video posted by an Israeli influencer.
Sarah Abu Lebdeh, 26, was arrested at Sutherland Police Station on Tuesday night and charged with three offences, including threatening violence, using a carriage service to threaten to kill, and using a carriage service to menace.
The video, which circulated widely earlier this month, features Lebdeh and fellow Bankstown Hospital nurse Ahmad Rashad Nadir allegedly boasting about harming Israeli patients.
The footage was reportedly recorded on Chatruletka, an online video chat platform, and later shared by influencer Max Veifer on TikTok and Instagram.
In the video, Nadir allegedly made remarks suggesting he had sent Israeli patients “to hell,” while Lebdeh is accused of saying she would refuse to treat Israeli patients and would instead kill them. The comments sparked outrage, prompting an investigation by NSW Police under Strike Force Pearl.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb described the charges as a “major development” in the case.
“These charges have been laid following a lot of hard work and legal advice from the Commonwealth DPP.”
While Lebdeh has been granted conditional bail and is set to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on March 19, Nadir has not been charged but remains under investigation. Both nurses have been suspended, and their registrations to practise in Australia have been cancelled.
The incident is part of a broader investigation under Strike Force Pearl, which has resulted in 14 arrests and 76 charges to date. Authorities have emphasised the complexity of the case due to the video being recorded overseas, requiring collaboration with international law enforcement agencies.
Investigations under Strike Force Pearl continue.
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