Hesen Jabr, a nurse at a New York hospital, recently received an award for her compassionate care for mothers who suffered from loss of babies during childbirth. However, her acceptance speech took a controversial turn as she equated the suffering of these mothers with that of women in Gaza, claiming that Israel’s actions there constitute “genocide”. Jabr, who identifies as a Palestinian Muslim, was subsequently fired from her job due to her incendiary remarks.
Jabr’s speech at the award ceremony sparked outrage among the hospital staff and administration. She proclaimed, “It pains me to see the women from my country going through unimaginable losses themselves during the current genocide in Gaza…This award is deeply personal to me for those reasons.” It is clear that Jabr used the platform to disseminate her political beliefs, rather than simply addressing the recognition she received for her job performance.
Daniel Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel, has acknowledged that the war in Gaza was an “intensely emotional and personal issue” for some people, but reiterated that Israel has the right to defend itself against terror attacks. He stated, “No other country on earth would allow such a terror attack without taking strong measures to stop it.” Hamas, an internationally recognized terrorist organization, has consistently launched rockets into Israeli civilian areas, causing injury and death to innocent civilians.
However, Jabr’s divisive and politicized statements were not the only reason for her termination. According to a spokesperson for the hospital, she was previously warned not to bring her personal views on political matters into the workplace after a similar incident in December. Her disregard for this warning and her use of a hospital event as a platform for political activism ultimately led to her dismissal.
Jabr’s inflammatory comments serve as a reminder that she is not a neutral observer, but rather an activist with a long history of political involvement. As a fifth-grader, she was part of a lawsuit against her school principal for giving her a Bible. It is clear that she has a pattern of using her positions to further her activism rather than focusing on her job responsibilities.
Jabr’s dismissal has sparked controversy and garnered support for her among anti-Israel and anti-Semitic individuals. However, as the hospital spokesperson stated, her termination was a direct result of her actions and her disregard for professionalism in the workplace. She was given a second chance after her previous incident and yet chose to ignore the consequences of her actions.
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The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has been a source of contention for many. However, it is vital to recognize that Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorist attacks targeting its civilians. As Shapiro stated, “In defending itself, Israel always strives to minimize civilian casualties on every side.” Israel has also provided medical treatment for wounded Palestinians, including children, in its hospitals. The actions of one individual should not overshadow the larger picture and the need for objective understanding of the situation.
UPDATE: NYU Langone nurse Hesen Jabr has finally been fired after sharing months of vile, antisemitic content like the post below in which she compares Jews to Nazis.
Jewish patients & staff deserve better than having to deal with bigot Hesen Jabr!
Thank you @nyulangone pic.twitter.com/fOmkO19EjB
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) May 31, 2024
Hesen Jabr’s controversial speech at a New York hospital led to her termination from her job as a labor and delivery nurse. Her personal political activism and disregard for professionalism in the workplace ultimately resulted in her dismissal. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is a complex issue, and Israel has the right to defend itself against terror attacks. Jabr’s actions do not represent the views of the hospital or the majority of its staff, who strive to provide compassionate care for all patients, regardless of political beliefs.