BREAKING: Jewish students from Mount Scopus Memorial College faced a wave of antisemitic chanting during a school excursion at the Melbourne Museum on Thursday, October 5, 2023. High school students from another institution shouted “free, free, Palestine” at the Year 5 group, prompting immediate action from educators on site.
Witnesses report that the incident escalated in a shared museum area, where the Mount Scopus students were subjected to the hostile chants. The college’s group leader swiftly approached the senior educators of the other school to address the behavior, leading to the Mount Scopus students being relocated away from the chanting group.
In an urgent letter to parents, Mount Scopus confirmed that it plans to follow up with the principal of the other school regarding this distressing incident. The letter emphasized the college’s commitment to student safety, stating, “Upon returning to the college, we conducted a wellbeing check on all students to ensure they felt safe and supported.” Parents concerned about the incident were encouraged to reach out to the college’s psychologists or senior staff for support.
Naomi Levin, CEO of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV), stated that she has been in contact with parents of affected students and has alerted the Victorian Department of Education about the incident. “It is completely unacceptable that our youngest community members are being targeted,” Levin expressed. She referenced alarming findings from the 2024 Victorian Antisemitism Report, which documented a record number of antisemitic incidents directed at Jewish schools and students.
The JCCV is advocating for the Department of Education to engage with Mount Scopus to address this incident and is committed to promoting educational opportunities that combat antisemitism. “We need to educate against antisemitism,” Levin stressed.
Mount Scopus Memorial College has been approached for further comment as the situation develops. The incident has raised significant concerns within the community, highlighting the urgent need for continued dialogue and education around antisemitism in schools.
This incident serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Jewish students in Australia and underscores the community’s call for immediate action and systemic change to ensure a safe educational environment for all.
As this story unfolds, further updates will be provided regarding responses from the involved schools and the actions taken by educational authorities.
