Study Reveals Medical Neglect, Harassment of Jews in Australian Hospitals

According to the report, some Jewish Australians are reluctant to seek medical care.

By Shula Rosen

A major investigation by The Australian has documented allegations of rising antisemitism throughout Australia’s health care system since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, including claims that some Jewish patients were treated with neglect, Jewish health care workers faced harassment, and medical professionals promoted antisemitic and pro-Hamas content.

Based on interviews with more than 30 doctors, nurses, midwives and other health care professionals, the investigation describes what interviewees characterized as a climate that has left some Jewish Australians reluctant to seek medical care.

According to the report, some patients concealed their Jewish identity out of concern it could affect their treatment.

Among the allegations were repeated intravenous insertion attempts that exceeded accepted hospital protocols, delays in providing pain medication and offensive comments by medical staff.

The report notes it could not establish that the alleged mistreatment in all cases was intentional but cited medical personnel who said some of the reported cases appeared to violate standard procedures.

One account described a Jewish woman who, according to a midwife, remained without pain medication for hours after a Caesarean section while lying in a pool of blood beside her newborn.

Another patient said a nurse in an intensive care unit denied both the Holocaust and the October 7 attack during her hospitalization.

The investigation also alleges that Jewish doctors, medical students and other health care workers were subjected to workplace hostility, verbal abuse and professional isolation. Some interviewees said they avoided filing complaints because they feared harming their careers.

The report describes growing political activism inside hospitals, including staff wearing protest symbols, displaying slogans such as “From the river to the sea” and sharing social media posts containing antisemitic rhetoric, Holocaust comparisons and support for terrorist organizations.

It also alleges that some Jewish and pro-Israel medical professionals faced disciplinary action after challenging claims of genocide or discussing Hamas’ use of hospitals in Gaza.

Among the incidents highlighted was the cancellation of an international trauma conference in Perth after protests over a planned lecture by former IDF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elon Glassberg.

Trauma specialists interviewed for the investigation said the decision denied Australian clinicians access to battlefield medical techniques developed for treating gunshot and blast injuries.

The report also revisits the case of Sydney’s Bankstown Hospital, where Ahmad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh were recorded discussing refusing treatment to Israelis and threatening Israeli patients during a video call with Israeli social media influencer Max Veifer.

Although an Australian court ruled in June 2026 that the recording was inadmissible because it had been obtained in violation of surveillance laws, Australia’s attorney general has appealed that decision.