Following the appalling story we reported here on Tuesday (see below) that one of St Vincent’s Hospital’s senior cardiologists, Professor Peter Macdonald, was filmed peddling bizarre and arguably antisemitic conspiracy theories at a public forum, we are pleased to say that St Vincent’s are taking the matter extremely seriously. As they should. These are some of the latest developments.

The Alliance Against Antisemitism in Healthcare has written to St Vincent’s and repeated this masthead’s Tuesday call for Professor Macdonald’s suspension and investigation and also demanded his termination from the hospital.

Their letter added: ‘St Vincent’s hospitals have many Jewish patients, staff, and community members who would be rightly appalled by Macdonald’s conduct.’

It has also been reported that on Wednesday, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-Chief Alex Ryvchin wrote to Professor Macdonald. From The Australian:

‘Ryvchin wrote to Professor Macdonald pointing out that the Jewish community was accustomed to hearing antisemitic conspiracy theories about “false flag operations” but usually from anonymous individuals. “I did not expect those same fantasies to be uttered by an eminent Australian cardiologist in a public forum.”’

A spokesperson for St Vincent’s has released the following statement:

‘Unequivocally, St Vincent’s does not associate itself with the remarks of the employee. St Vincent’s rejects antisemitism, racism, and hate. It has no place in an organisation that was founded to share love and compassion to the most vulnerable through healthcare and other supports.

‘The staff member who made this comment is currently on leave on an unrelated issue. Upon his return, St Vincent’s will take appropriate next steps in accordance with our internal policies and procedures.

‘More frequent instances of antisemitism in Australia – including in healthcare settings – is a disturbing and upsetting development in recent years. St Vincent’s is very conscious – particularly from talking to staff and community members from Jewish backgrounds – that many people are experiencing feelings of unease, fear, and dismay at this phenomenon.

‘St Vincent’s has taken, and will continue to take, action against employees where they have been found to have engaged in behaviour contrary to our code of conduct and expected standards of behaviour. We want to assure every member of our community – whatever their background and beliefs – that St Vincent’s is a safe harbour from antisemitic or bigoted views.’

Our original article published on Tuesday said:

The news, as reported in the Daily Mail this morning, that a senior cardiologist at Australia’s greatest hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital, Professor Peter Macdonald, has been publicly spouting arguably antisemitic theories and tropes should – if accurate and correct – fill every Australian with horror and potentially shames St Vincent’s.

According to the Daily Mail:

‘A leading Sydney cardiologist has spread a bizarre conspiracy theory that Israeli intelligence agency Mossad was behind two alleged antisemitic arson attacks in Melbourne and Sydney. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced last week that ASIO had linked the Iranian government to the December 6 firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne and the October 20 attack on Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Bondi Beach. The announcement led to the expulsion of Iran’s ambassador to Australia. But Professor Peter Macdonald, a cardiologist at St Vincent’s Hospital and world-renowned heart transplant pioneer, told a public forum he was deeply sceptical of the official account.

“I thought it was a no-brainer that these were Mossad-engineered events,” Professor Macdonald said. “Am I being totally naive, or has the lobby taken over ASIO as well?”

‘His remarks were met with applause from sections of the audience. Professor Macdonald is one of Australia’s most prominent cardiologists.’

These words are being said in public by a man with huge moral authority as a senior surgeon at a highly respected hospital. In doing so he is without any apparent knowledge or information to justify his words, directly contradicting the advice of ASIO and the Australian government on who was responsible for the appalling attacks, and instead, in words that meet the widely accepted definition of antisemitism, spreading a dangerous anti-Israel trope.

How on earth could any Jewish Australian wish to go under the knife in an institute where such blatant conspiracy theory peddling exists? How can any right-minded donor – especially from the eastern suburbs – ever again wish to donate a brass razoo to a hospital that tolerates such quackery? Every doctor, especially senior surgeons and specialists, have a special place in our national discourse, and their words are treated with authority and respect.

Unless Professor Macdonald either immediately issues a broad and heartfelt apology – which shouldn’t be too hard for a cardiologist – or is immediately suspended from St Vincent’s all Australians should feel rightly appalled and revolted by this news.