Overview
- Rabbi Mendel Kastel told the commission on Tuesday that Jewish patients phoned hospitals asking staff to remove religion from admission or medical records because they feared being treated differently.
- The testimony described patients hiding accents and names and one reported refusal of care where a patient called a Jewish doctor a 'Zionist pig', indicating personal fear affected use of services.
- The evidence referenced two Bankstown Hospital nurses who were sacked after a February 2025 video and who have pleaded not guilty to charges that are before the courts.
- The royal commission is focusing this week on education and training across schools, workplaces and the health and arts sectors and will hear from South Western Sydney Local Health District and federal officials.
- Witnesses questioned workplace symbols and conduct, with Rabbi Kastel saying he would support banning Palestinian and Israeli flag pins in hospitals, a policy discussion that could influence hospital rules and staff guidance.