A wide-ranging investigation published by The Australian has highlighted a series of troubling allegations concerning a rise in antisemitism within Australia\u2019s healthcare system since the attacks of October 7, 2023.<\/p>\n
More than 30 doctors, nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals described an increasingly politicized workplace, alleged discrimination against Jewish patients and staff, and incidents that have caused growing concern within the country\u2019s Jewish community.<\/p>\n
According to the testimonies gathered by the newspaper, pro-Palestinian activism that emerged on Australian streets after October 7 gradually spread into hospitals and other medical institutions.<\/p>\n
Staff members at several hospitals in Melbourne and Sydney were reportedly seen wearing badges or displaying posters bearing the slogan \u201cFrom the river to the sea.\u201d Political stickers were also allegedly placed in hospital departments, including one depicting a Star of David crossed out with a red line.<\/p>\n
At Melbourne\u2019s Alfred Hospital, such a sticker was reportedly placed near the bed of a dying Jewish patient. The hospital has historically received substantial financial support from Jewish philanthropists.<\/p>\n
The investigation also documented a rise in political posts shared on the social media accounts of some healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n
Dr. Carly Devinsky, a pediatric neurologist now based in Israel, said some doctors and nurses had allegedly shared antisemitic cartoons, references to Nazism and posts in which the word \u201cJews\u201d was replaced with \u201cZionists.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said such material continued to circulate long after October 7. Following the Bondi Beach attack, one experienced doctor reportedly described people attending a memorial gathering as \u201cZionists supporting genocide.\u201d The allegation has been submitted to a commission of inquiry.<\/p>\n
The report also described a deterioration in workplace relations at several institutions.<\/p>\n
Facebook groups that had previously been used to organize shifts and communicate among colleagues reportedly became forums for political arguments. Several Jewish healthcare workers said they were excluded, criticized or targeted after raising the issue of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza or discussing the October 7 massacres.<\/p>\n
At a major Melbourne hospital, an experienced intensive-care nurse resigned after more than a decade, saying management had failed to respond adequately to hateful social media posts shared by colleagues.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf people are capable of posting these kinds of things online, imagine how they treat a Jewish patient face to face,\u201d she said anonymously.<\/p>\n
The most serious allegations, however, concern the treatment of Jewish patients.<\/p>\n
Since the release of a video showing two employees at Sydney\u2019s Bankstown Hospital making hostile remarks about Israeli patients, several members of the Jewish community have said they are now reluctant to disclose their religion when seeking hospital treatment.<\/p>\n
Charlotte Freiman, 64, the daughter of an Auschwitz survivor, described what she said was a deeply distressing experience at a Melbourne clinic where she was receiving cancer treatment.<\/p>\n
Antisemitism in Australia \u2014 Australia’s spy chief: Antisemitism left unchecked after Oct. 7<\/p>\n
Freiman said a nurse with whom she had previously had a cordial relationship appeared to change his behavior after learning that she was Jewish. While inserting an intravenous line, he allegedly made four attempts, causing considerable pain and lasting bruising. She said similar incidents occurred during later appointments. \u201cHe seemed more like a trainee than an experienced nurse,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n