Sarah Abu Lebdeh and Ahmad Rashad Nadir set for trial in August 2026
Two nurses from Sydney’s west are set to fight allegations they threatened Israeli patients in a viral video that made international headlines last year.
The admissibility of a viral video in which two Sydney nurses allegedly threatened Israeli patients will be a key question before a bombshell trial this year.
Sarah Abu Lebdeh, 27, and Ahmad Rashad Nadir, 28, made international headlines last February after a video of the pair spread online in which they allegedly threatened violence against Israeli patients at Bankstown Hospital, in Sydney’s west.
The pair attended the Downing Centre District Court on Monday for arraignment, and a trial date was set for August 31, with a pre-trial hearing to take place on June 1.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Ms Abu Lebdeh approached the microphone at the front of the courtroom on Monday morning, and quietly responded “not guilty” to Judge Stephen Hanley when asked to enter pleas on charges of using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend and threaten violence to a group.
Mr Nadir, also approached the microphone and answered “not guilty” to using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.
The pair remain on bail.
Outside of court, Mr Nadir’s lawyer Zemarai Khatiz told an awaiting media scrum the admissibility of the video will still be a key part of their defence.
“We will have to just wait until June 1 when the applications are heard,” he said.
When asked if Mr Nadir was sorry for what he allegedly said, he had no comment.
Meanwhile, Ms Abu Lebdeh was peppered with questions as she left court with multiple supporters by her side who swiped microphones away.
In the two-and-a-half minute video, recorded by Israeli influencer Max Veifer, the nurses allegedly threatened violence against Israelis who came to the hospital.
The video attracted widely circulated criticism at the time, and made international headlines.
Mr Khatiz previously flagged that he intended to argue that the video was recorded without his client’s consent.
The pair, who have both been stood down from their jobs by NSW Health, have also been hit with a two-year ban from working with NDIS participants.
The trial is expected to span over five days.
Originally published as Sarah Abu Lebdeh and Ahmad Rashad Nadir set for trial in August 2026
