By Noel Towell and Bridie Smith
The state Education Department has launched an investigation into the alleged antisemitic abuse of a group of primary school students, some as young as 10, during an excursion at the Melbourne Museum on Thursday.
The museum says it too is investigating the incident involving year 5 children from Mount Scopus Memorial College and a group of high school students from Gladstone Park Secondary College.
Mount Scopus Memorial College in Burwood.Credit: Scott McNaughton
Education Minister and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll contacted the principal of the Burwood Jewish school after reports that some of high schoolers had called the younger children “dirty Jews” as the two groups undertook a shared activity while visiting the museum.
In a letter to parents, seen by The Age, Mount Scopus deputy principal Greg Hannon said a small group of students from the high school chanted “free Palestine” at some Mount Scopus students.
“Our group leader immediately confronted the senior school educators to address the behaviour of their students,” he said.
Hannon said the Mount Scopus students were quickly moved away from the other school group.
Mount Scopus principal Dan Sztrajt said it was particularly concerning to hear reports of inaction by one of the other school’s educators when asked to stop their students vilifying the Mount Scopus students.
Sztrajt said he had contacted Gladstone Park Secondary College principal Veronica Hoy seeking an explanation and to ask how the incident would be investigated.
“No child should ever be made to feel unsafe or targeted because of their identity or background,” he said.
Sztrajt said Hoy had expressed concern over the incident and was open to “educational opportunities” to address the matter.
“Mount Scopus Memorial College has offered to work together with the other school to ensure that an appropriate educational response to this incident is made available,” he said.
Hoy did not respond on Friday to a request for comment from The Age.
Mount Scopus parent Tristan Sternson said his 10-year-old boy had been subjected to a “terrifying experience” by the high schoolers.
“He and his classmates were targeted by high school students from a different school,” Sternson wrote in an online post.
“They were tapped on the shoulder and then chanted at by these ... students [saying] ‘free Palestine’ and then, as they walked away, were called ‘dirty Jews’ and other racist comments.
“This is not a political debate; this is pure, unadulterated antisemitism and hate.”
Museums Victoria chief executive Lynley Crosswell said an investigation had been launched.
“I am so deeply sorry that this has happened to your son and his classmates at Melbourne Museum,” Crosswell wrote online in response to Sternson’s post.
“An investigation has commenced and we will be in contact with your son’s school and the other school concerned.
“There is no place for racism or vilification in our museums.”
Carroll said he had offered support to the school during a conversation with Sztrajt.
“[I] conveyed my disgust at the antisemitic attacks on their students yesterday,” Carroll said.
“It is unacceptable that students or staff feel unsafe in the community where they learn, work and play.”
Jewish Community Council of Victoria chief executive Naomi Levin confirmed the Education Department had been in touch following Thursday’s incident, after the council raised concerns on behalf of Mount Scopus parents.
“It is completely unacceptable that our youngest community members are being targeted,” she said.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said they were not aware of any reports about the incident.
The incident comes after Jillian Segal this month released her report into combatting antisemitism in Australia.
The blueprint highlighted education as a key area of focus to help stop antisemitism becoming normalised among young people.
“We are on a dangerous trajectory where young people raised on a diet of disinformation and misinformation about Jews today risk becoming fully fledged antisemites tomorrow,” the report says.
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