Ramia Abdo Sultan, an Australian-Palestinian lawyer and executive member of the Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network (APAN), has drawn widespread condemnation after defending two Muslim nurses in Sydney who made shocking threats against Israeli patients.
The two healthcare workers, Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, were caught on video stating their intentions to harm any Israeli patients under their care at Bankstown Hospital.
Instead of unequivocally denouncing their actions, Ramia Abdo Sultan attempted to shift the focus by claiming the nurses were entrapped and invoking Islamophobia as a defense. Her statements have sparked outrage, with many accusing her of justifying blatant antisemitism and extremist rhetoric in Australia’s healthcare system.
The Video That Sparked Outrage
The controversy began when an Israeli social media influencer, Max Veifer, encountered Nadir and Lebdeh on the video chat platform Chatruletka. The two nurses, wearing scrubs emblazoned with the insignia of New South Wales (NSW) Health, engaged in an antisemitic tirade against Veifer.
Once they learned he was Israeli, Nadir initially complimented his eyes but quickly turned hostile, telling Veifer that he would eventually be killed and sent to Jahannam (Hell).
Lebdeh took it further, declaring that Israel was not his country and cursing him in an aggressive manner. When asked what she would do if an Israeli patient came to her for treatment, she bluntly stated, “I won’t treat them; I will kill them.” Nadir then boasted that he had already sent many Israeli patients to hell. The video quickly went viral, leading to widespread condemnation and the eventual suspension of the two nurses.
Read : Two Nurses of Sydney Hospital Suspended After They Threaten to Kill Jewish Patients
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the incident “sickening and shameful” and ordered an investigation into the matter. Despite this, Ramia Abdo Sultan came forward to defend the nurses, dismissing their violent statements as mere words that had been used to entrap them. Her defense of their actions has intensified the backlash against her and the organization she represents.
Ramia Abdo Sultan’s Defense and the Backlash
Rather than condemning the nurses’ remarks, Ramia Abdo Sultan suggested they were victims of entrapment. She claimed that their conversation, though disturbing, was intended to provoke them into making such statements. According to her, Palestinians and pro-Palestinian individuals often face heightened scrutiny, and any comments they make are weaponized against them.
“It was very concerning, disturbing conversation, however, without doubt, it would’ve been provocative, it would’ve been one intended to entrap,” she said.
“We have heard and seen far worse come from the other side. We’ve had threats, we’ve had blatant killings, genocides, we’ve had hospitals completely held hostages massacred alive, genocide being live-streamed and complete silence by the media outlets and by the leadership here.”
I still can’t get over the Australian terror nurses. This is Ramia A Sultan, their Islamist lawyer. Listen to her terrifying words as she inverts the victim and warns fellow Islamists to hide their Jihadi views.
— Hashem (@HashemAllMighty) February 15, 2025
Holy shit! This is what legal Jihad looks like. They study western… pic.twitter.com/bSfZupbMNo
Her statements, however, completely ignored the gravity of what the nurses had actually said. Many critics argue that instead of addressing antisemitism within the healthcare system, she deflected by accusing the media of bias and portraying Muslims as the true victims. Her comments also implied that because she had witnessed greater atrocities elsewhere, these threats against Jewish patients should not be taken seriously.
One of the most alarming aspects of her response was her advice to young Muslims. She warned them against engaging in discussions about Israel or Jews on social media, suggesting that such conversations were designed to “entrap” them and could impact their futures.
“Regardless of this, my message to young people in particular, you are being watched and nothing and nowhere is safe. There is no such thing as safe space. Do not trust anyone,” she advised.
Her comments have been widely condemned as an attempt to silence criticism of antisemitic rhetoric while portraying Muslims as perpetual victims of discrimination. Many have pointed out the irony of her statements—on the one hand, she downplays the nurses’ threats as a “free conversation,” but on the other, she warns Muslims that their own words could be used against them.
Antisemitism in Australian Healthcare and the Growing Concerns
The incident has shone a light on the rising antisemitism within the Australian healthcare system. Jewish healthcare workers and patients have reportedly faced discrimination and hatred, a problem that has become more visible since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
Sharon Stoliar, an Australian NSW healthcare worker, revealed that after raising concerns about antisemitism in hospitals, she was investigated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) instead of those spreading the hate.
“I raised the alarm about this not long after October 7th happened. When nurses and midwives were chanting ‘from the river to the sea’ while wearing NSW Health uniforms, I wrote an open letter explaining that this chant is a call for the annihilation of Jews and that they should not be shouting this genocidal chant, let alone while wearing NSW Health uniforms,” Stoliar said.
Instead of addressing the growing hostility against Jewish staff and patients, she was subjected to scrutiny, exposing a deep-seated bias within the system.
Australian lawyer Michael Kroger also spoke about discrimination against Jewish patients at Bankstown Hospital, where Nadir and Lebdeh worked. He alleged that Jewish patients had their food spat on before being served, were denied mandatory post-operation care, and had their beds left soiled for extended periods.
If true, these claims indicate that the issue goes far beyond just two individuals making hateful comments—it suggests a systemic problem within parts of the Australian healthcare sector.
Despite the overwhelming evidence of antisemitic attitudes among some healthcare professionals, Ramia Abdo Sultan and her supporters continue to frame the issue as one of victimhood rather than accountability.
Her refusal to outright condemn the nurses’ statements, coupled with her claims of entrapment, has fueled criticism that she is enabling extremism rather than advocating for justice.
The defense of openly antisemitic individuals under the guise of “entrapment” is a dangerous precedent. Ramia Abdo Sultan’s attempt to downplay the threats made by the two nurses is not only morally indefensible but also a stark reminder of the growing intolerance in sectors where impartiality and professionalism are paramount.
The fact that healthcare workers—whose duty is to save lives regardless of nationality or ethnicity—expressed such open hatred against a group of people is deeply disturbing.
Rather than acknowledging the antisemitism within the Australian healthcare system, Ramia Abdo Sultan and others have attempted to shift the focus, portraying Muslims as the victims while ignoring the actual threats against Jewish patients. This blatant double standard needs to be called out.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s swift condemnation of the incident is a step in the right direction, but there must be further action to ensure that such sentiments are not tolerated in hospitals or any other professional settings.
The larger issue here is not just about two nurses but about the growing acceptance of radical views under the pretense of political activism.
As investigations continue, it is imperative that authorities take decisive action to root out antisemitism and extremism from places meant to provide care and healing. The healthcare system should be a place of safety for all patients, regardless of their background. Anything less than zero tolerance for hatred is unacceptable.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏