Stoliar, who is married to an Israeli Jew, said she was horrified by what she witnessed, especially as colleagues were wearing NSW Health uniforms while chanting the phrase.
Sharon Stoliar made official complaints about medical staff making threats to Jews in 2023 (Image: Instagram)[Missing Credit]
“I raised the alarm not long after October 7 happened, when nurses and midwives were chanting ‘From the river to the sea’ while wearing NSW Health uniforms,” Stoliar claimed in a video posted to Instagram.
“I wrote an open letter to nurses and midwives, 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. I also had meetings with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) to push for action.”
But instead of receiving support, Stoliar alleged that she became the target of retaliation, including having vexacious complaints lodged against her.
She was left shocked when eight grievances were filed with the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC), calling for her to lose her medical license.
“While initially the complaints were dismissed, two of the complainants pushed for a review, prompting the HCCC to investigate further,” Stoliar recalled.
“They placed formal comments on my registration without my knowledge, and without allowing me the opportunity to respond. This went on without me being informed of my legal rights.”
The situation became more dire for Stoliar when she claimed she received an official letter threatening her with a custodial sentence in relation to the complaints.
She was eventually able to prove her innocence with the help of her legal team, clearing her name and retaining her medical registration.
“Do you see the double standard?” Stoliar asked. “I asked for an end to a genocidal chant by NSW Health staff while they wore their uniforms. Yet, instead of addressing that, I faced formal corrective comments and the threat of jail time.”
Stoliar’s case occurred 15 months before the latest Australian antisemitism controversy erupted this week when two nurses, Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, were filmed in NSW Health scrubs, making violent antisemitic threats The video, shared on social media by Israeli influencer Max Veifer, shows the pair boasting about sending Israeli patients to “Jehannam” (the arabic word for hell).
NSW Health nurses Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh were filmed making violent threats against Jews (Image: X)[Missing Credit]
In the clip, Lebdeh taunted: "It's Palestine’s country, not your country you piece of s***."
Nadir, meanwhile, made a throat-slitting gesture, saying: "You have no idea how many (Israelis) came to this hospital and I sent them to Jehannam."
Following the release of the video, NSW Health suspended the two nurses, and police are now investigating the matter, with CCTV footage from Bankstown Hospital being seized as part of the enquiry.
A spokesperson from the NSW Health Ministrysaid: “NSW Health, along with all NSW Government agencies, is committed to combatting antisemitism and hate in all its forms. We are committed to fostering an environment of respect and inclusivity for all our staff and all those in the diverse communities we serve.
"The NSW Health Culture and Staff Experience Framework sets the direction and
behavioural expectations for developing our workplace culture and cultivating a
positive staff experience that brings out the best in everyone. When making public comment on issues or participating in political or industrial activities, NSW Health staff cannot indicate or imply that their views are those of NSW Health.”
But the situation has drawn criticism from those who argue that more must be done to ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish staff and patients within the healthcare system.
An AHPRA spokesperson said: "We manage complaints and concerns raised about the health, performance and behaviour of individual health practitioners, except in New South Wales and Queensland.
