Charge withdrawn against Sydney nurse in case over alleged threats to Israeli patients
One of the charges against a Bankstown Hospital nurse has been dropped; remaining charges will proceed with the Commonwealth DPP as both nurses remain suspended from practice
Prosecutors have withdrawn an allegation that a Sydney nurse threatened to kill Israeli patients after a viral video prompted criminal charges and national condemnation earlier this year.
Sarah Abu Lebdeh, 27, was among two nurses recorded in February saying they would refuse to treat Israelis while on a night shift at Bankstown Hospital in Sydney's west. The footage, captured on the online video chat platform Chatruletka, was later shared online by Israeli influencer Max Veifer and sparked widespread outrage.
Abu Lebdeh had faced three counts: threatening violence to a group, using a carriage service to threaten to kill, and using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence. On Tuesday at Downing Centre Local Court prosecutors withdrew the specific allegation that she threatened to kill Israeli patients. She has not yet entered pleas to the two remaining charges, which will proceed with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. The matter is listed to return to court in November.
Ahmad Rashad Nadir, 28, who appeared with Abu Lebdeh in the video, was hospitalised after the footage emerged and was later charged in March with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence and possession of a prohibited drug. Nadir has pleaded not guilty to possessing morphine; that matter is due to be contested at Bankstown Local Court in October. He has not yet entered a plea to the carriage-service charge, which will also proceed with the Commonwealth DPP.
Both nurses remain on bail under strict conditions that bar them from using social media and from leaving the country. They were excused from attending court on Tuesday. Australia's health practitioner watchdog has prohibited both from practising as nurses nationwide, and their registrations have been suspended in New South Wales.
Outside court, Nadir's lawyer Zemarai Khatiz said his client had apologised for the comments made in the video and indicated he would not be negotiating with the Commonwealth DPP, adding the matter would take "a long time" to resolve.
The case has raised questions about conduct by registered health practitioners and the responsibilities of clinicians to patients regardless of nationality. Health regulators across Australia moved quickly after the video's circulation to suspend the nurses' registrations and to block them from clinical duties while investigations and criminal proceedings continue.
The withdrawal on Tuesday affects only the specific allegation of a threat to kill; the remaining criminal charges against Abu Lebdeh and the outstanding charges against Nadir will proceed through the court system. Court timetables show further appearances in October and November as the Commonwealth DPP evaluates and runs the prosecutions.