‘The rising anti-Semitism is just growing and growing in Australia—it’s just crazy,’ said Max Veifer.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called for a review of Australia’s migration system after revelations that Ahmad Rashad Nadir, a nurse caught boasting about killing Jewish patients, was granted Australian citizenship in 2020.
Nadir, who arrived from Afghanistan as a 12-year-old, was recorded bragging about harming Israeli patients during a Chatruletka call with Israeli influencer Max Veifer. He made the threats alongside fellow NSW nurse Sarah Abu Lebdeh.
Ironically, Nadir was granted citizenship at the time when Dutton was the Home Affairs Minister in the former Morrison government.
Dutton said the case exposed serious flaws in the system and called for a deeper investigation.
“There needs to be a proper process in place to understand how this individual became an Australian citizen and where the failing in the system originated, and how we can make sure it doesn’t happen,” he told Sydney’s 2GB radio station.
However, he acknowledged legal constraints in revoking it.
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“There’s a provision under the Migration Act … that if somebody has made a false declaration … there is the ability to revoke (citizenship), say somebody who has committed a terrorist attack,” he said.
But he noted that recent High Court rulings had restricted the government’s ability to strip citizenship, citing constitutional limitations.
Influencer Speaks Out on Rising Hate
Max Veifer, the Israeli influencer who exposed the nurses’ threats, expressed alarm at the growing anti-Semitism he encountered.
“As soon as they found out I’m from Israel, they started cursing me and threatening me, saying they’re never going to treat Israeli patients at their hospital,” he said in an interview with Sky News.
He described the incident as part of a wider trend.
“I was shocked that so far away in Australia, the hate has gone so far,” he said. “The rising anti-Semitism is just growing and growing in Australia—it’s just crazy.”
Veifer called for Australian authorities to investigate, a process that is already underway with NSW Health and NSW Police.
“I exposed two nurses, but how many more are there?” he asked. “Seeing medical staff that’s supposed to treat everyone saying these things made me sad. I don’t know who I can trust anymore.”
The widely condemned video surfaced amid a surge in anti-Semitic attacks in the country’s largest cities.
Shadow Minister Calls for Patient Record Review
In response to the incident, Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane, whose electorate in Sydney’s east includes a large Jewish community, has called for a full review of patient records at Bankstown Hospital.
“The records of all patients treated by the Bankstown Hospital staff must be urgently reviewed and examined for any adverse or unexplained outcomes,” she said.
“Additionally, there should be a review of the broader workplace culture.”
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park responded by noting that, at this stage, there is “no evidence” any patients have been harmed.
However, he stressed that the investigation is still in its early stages and emphasised the need to restore trust within the Jewish community.
Monica O’Shea contributed to this article.
