Police suspect no crime committed as Jewish school denied jumping castle

Police suspect no crime was committed when a Sydney jumping castle business refused to deal with a Jewish school and boasted about it on social media.

However, they are continuing to pursue allegations a car bearing the Palestinian flag was smashed with a hammer at a Sydney shopping centre - just one of more than 100 reports and two dozen ongoing investigations.

Police are again looking at the evidence connected to a jumping castle hire business allegedly refusing to do business with a Jewish school. Credit: Wolter Peeters

NSW Premier Chris Minns spoke out against Western Sydney Jump’s Instagram posts on Tuesday after the business shared screenshots of its email exchange with Masada College, an independent Jewish school in St Ives.

Masada had wanted to hire outdoor games including giant Scrabble and giant Jenga for a staff barbecue in December.

“There’s no way I’m taking a Zionist booking. I don’t want your blood money. Free Palestine,” the business told the school, according to the post, which has since been deleted. The post also included photographs of Year 2 children at the school, which it labelled “Zionist”.

The owner reportedly later qualified on Instagram that she took issue with Zionists, rather than with the Jewish community. The business could not be reached for comment.

Western Sydney Jump’s Instagram posts.

A police spokesperson told the Herald on Wednesday morning that they were not investigating, as it was believed no crime had been committed.

Later in the day, a spokesperson said officers from Operation Shelter, set last month up to quell disturbances linked to recent Israel-Palestine protests, would review the case, but sources not permitted to speak publicly said it still appeared no crime had taken place.

“Inquiries are continuing,” police concluded on Wednesday afternoon.

Attorney-General Michael Daley said racial discrimination was against the law, and Anti-Discrimination NSW urged people to contact them if they had experienced vilification amid rising tensions.

“For many people this is not a distant overseas issue, but something that directly impacts family, friends and loved ones,” President Helen McKenzie said.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said the social media posts of school children describing them as “Zionists” were “particularly sinister and disturbing”.

“These are Australian kids, not participants in a foreign conflict. The business … has sought to dehumanise Jews … It is deeply repugnant and inconsistent with the values we hold dear as Australians.”

Police Minister Yasmin Catley with David Ossip last month.Credit: Jessica Hromas

Investigators are currently dealing with 104 reports and have 23 ongoing investigations and 23 persons of interest, including an incident where a man allegedly used a hammer to smash a parked car displaying the Palestinian flag at Broadway Shopping Centre on Sunday evening.

Operation Shelter investigators have charged two men since it was set up.

A 52-year-old Waterloo man who allegedly posted antisemitic remarks on Facebook will reappear at the Downing Centre Local Court next month, while a 63-year-old Mount Druitt man charged with allegedly using offensive language at a pro-Palestine rally last month was due to appear at the court on Wednesday.

Police called for anyone with CCTV or information in any of their investigations to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.