Jewish students in lockdown mode as government calls for compassion
A Jewish school is letting pupils to travel without wearing uniforms, as the federal government calls for compassion for Jewish and Muslim children.
Scared Jewish students have shed their uniforms to travel incognito to school, in response to a global surge in hate speech and crimes against Jews during the Israel-Hamas war.
Extra private security guards have been posted at every one of Australia’s 19 Jewish religious schools, as some students study in a lockdown environment with live-streamed lessons or work sent home.
Students at both Jewish and Islamic schools – as well as public or Catholic schools with a high proportion of Jewish or Islamic students – will be offered counselling, through a $6 million federal government grant.
Australian Council of Jewish Schools executive director Leonard Hain said some parents are “afraid’’ to send their children to school.
“There are instances of children travelling to and from school being yelled at or having anti-Semitic things said to them,’’ he said.
“One school has told students they do not need to wear their uniform, so they are not identified as Jewish when travelling to and from school.
“Victorian police have increased patrols and are parked outside the schools and pick-up and drop-off.
“Each of our schools has increased security and put on extra guards.’’
Mr Hain was visiting relatives in Israel when Hamas terrorists attacked the city on October 7, gunning down 1300 residents and targeting a music festival to kidnap hundreds of hostages.
He was evacuated to Australia on an RAAF flight on Thursday last week.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare called on Australians to show “compassion’’ for fellow Australians of Jewish or Palestinian heritage.
“No family should ever feel afraid to send their child to school,’’ he said.
“Those dead bodies on both sides of the border, they have names, and a lot of Australians of Jewish background and Muslim background know those names.
“That’s why they’re afraid, that’s why they’re frightened.
“That’s why we’re asking for a bit of compassion here.
“What’s happening on the other side of the world has an impact here in Australia – we’ve got to make sure that we keep our country together.’’
The Islamic Schools Association of Australia did not respond to questions yesterday about absenteeism and security concerns at its schools as a result of the war in the Middle East, as Israel bombards the Gaza Strip.
But in a statement on its website, it said its schools “are very concerned about the recent rise in Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian racism that has infiltrated public discourse’’.
“Since October 7, more than 8000 people have been killed, including over 3000 children, and this number keeps increasing on a daily basis,’’ it states.
“This dire situation is profoundly affecting our school communities, a significant number of whom have relatives and cherished ones residing in Gaza and the Occupied Territories.
“The continuous targeting of numerous hospitals, places of worship such as mosques and churches, schools, shelters and designated safe zones has had a devastating impact.’’
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria said Jewish schools were offering support to their students, staff and families.
“Every person in our community has deeply felt the impact of the current situation, including our students,’’ council president Daniel Aghion KC said yesterday.
He said there had been a “significant increase in anti-Semitism since Hamas’ massacre on October 7”.
“While Jewish families are anxious about their personal safety, including the safety of their children, community and school leaders are closely monitoring the local security situation and increasing precautions as necessary,’’ he said.
Mr Clare said the wellbeing grants would give Islamic and Jewish students access to school counsellors, or outside psychologists.
“There is nothing more important than the safety of students and staff, and there is no place for anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or any kind of racism in Australia,’’ he said.
The federal government has also given religious schools and preschools $50 million to improve security.