A Sydney nurse, Ahmad Rashad Nadir, has publicly apologised through his lawyer for making threats against Israeli patients in a video alongside social media influencer Sarah Abu Lebdeh. The police are currently assessing whether to press charges against both nurses after the video went viral last week.
Nadir’s lawyer, Mohamad Sakr, reiterated his client’s remorse, clarifying that Nadir does not endorse his actions and does not represent a community of faith. Detectives are yet to formally interview the nurses, as they only obtained the full video from the influencer recently. Nadir intends to cooperate with authorities once he is able to do so.
Western Australian Senator Fatima Payman has criticised the intense public backlash against the nurses, questioning the need for such severe consequences. She noted that while the nurses faced immediate repercussions—including termination from their positions and police investigations—the media response has been disproportionately overwhelming.
Payman argued that the reaction to the nurses’ comments appears excessive compared to the accountability expected from major media organisations. This sentiment was echoed by the Lebanese Muslim Association, highlighting concerns that the fervent response may be politically driven rather than genuinely focused on the nurses’ remarks.