Bankstown nurses seek to exclude key video evidence

A Sydney court has heard a bid to exclude a video at the centre of the prosecution of two former Bankstown Hospital nurses accused of making antisemitic threats against Israeli patients.

The recording was made on Chatruletka, an anonymous video chat service that randomly connects users. The court was told the platform’s terms warn users that calls may be recorded, a point likely to feature in arguments about whether the footage was legally obtained.

Sarah Abu Lebdeh, 27, and Ahmad Rashad Nadir appeared at a pre-trial hearing before Judge Michael McHugh in the Downing Centre District Court. Both have pleaded not guilty and remain on bail.

The footage was recorded in early 2025 by Israeli influencer Max Ilinski, known online as Max Veifer, while the pair were on a night shift at Bankstown Hospital.

In the video, Mr Nadir allegedly said: “You have no idea how many Israeli people come to this hospital … I send to Jahannam,” using the Arabic word for “hell”. Ms Abu Lebdeh allegedly told Mr Ilinski he would “die the most disgusting death” and said that if an Israeli patient came to the hospital, “I won’t treat them, I will kill them.”

Mr Ilinski told the court by video link that the nurses had targeted him by asking to be matched with Israeli users on Chatruletka.

“I only posted the video online to bring awareness … and warn Jewish communities around the world from things that want to hurt them,” he said.

He said his priority was “protecting” and “warning” Jewish communities, and that he had worked with authorities in Canada and the Netherlands on similar matters.

Mr Nadir’s barrister, Greg James KC, argued the video should be excluded, saying the conversation was recorded without consent in NSW and later published globally.

Mr James described Mr Ilinski as a “propaganda warrior” who sought out people with anti-Israel views and exposed them online.

“There was no reason for them to expect that Mr Ilinski would have gone worldwide,” Mr James said.

Outside court, Mr Nadir’s solicitor, Zemarai Khatiz, said: “It was a private conversation. It was recorded secretly without my client’s consent.”

NSW Health stood the pair down after the video emerged. Their nursing registrations were later suspended, preventing them from practising while the disciplinary process continues. They were also banned for two years from working with National Disability Insurance Scheme participants.

Ms Abu Lebdeh was originally charged with using a carriage service to threaten to kill, but prosecutors dropped that charge in September 2025. She has pleaded not guilty to threatening violence to a group and using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.

Mr Nadir has pleaded not guilty to using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend, and to a separate drug possession charge.

At the time, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the remarks as “vile and disgusting”. Jewish community leaders have welcomed the charges, saying the case shows the need to confront antisemitism wherever it appears, including in essential services.

Judge McHugh has not yet ruled on whether the recording can be used at trial. The trial is scheduled to begin on 31 August 2026 and is expected to run for five days.