‘Deeply troubling’: Angry parents slam Brisbane college for ‘pro-Palestine’ speaker

An elite Catholic boys’ school has been accused of being pro-Palestinian, with angry parents and Jewish leaders slamming the college for inviting a Palestinian woman to speak about the Gaza conflict.

Greens candidate Remah Naji at a protest in late 2024. Picture: Tertius Pickard

EXCLUSIVE

An elite Catholic boys’ school is accused of being pro-Palestinian, with angry parents and Jewish community leaders slamming Ambrose Treacy College for inviting a Palestinian woman to speak to students about the Gaza conflict.

Remah Naji, the Greens candidate for the federal seat of Moreton, was the guest at a school assembly where she shared the impacts of war on Palestinian children.

Mr Naji also showed distressing photographs of Gaza children carrying signs saying “Free Palestine, stop the genocide” and “one child killed every 10 minutes in Gaza by Israel”.

Alarmed Ambrose Treacy parents have contacted The Courier-Mail, saying they feel Ms Naji should not have been invited, describing it as “deeply troubling” and “just so wrong”.

Following her address to years 4-12 boys, Ms Naji, who was flanked by Greens MP Michael Berkman, encouraged other Brisbane schools wanting students to “feel empowered to take action on genocide” to arrange for her to visit.

Greens candidate Remah Naji.

One parent described Ms Naji’s presence at Ambrose Treacy as “completely unsuitable”.

Another said: “It is deeply troubling to have someone speak to impressionable children about this war, and take the side of Palestine.

“We do not pay fees for a political agenda; we pay for a school, and to have a Palestinian woman come and talk about the war is just so wrong,” they said.

Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies president Jason Steinberg said any discussion on children in Gaza must acknowledge the actions of Hamas and warned a distorted narrative could further marginalise Jewish Australians and make schools unsafe.

“Her comments ignore the role of Hamas, a terrorist organisation that governs Gaza and uses civilians as human shields, diverts humanitarian aid for military purposes and indoctrinates children,” Mr Steinberg said.

“Encouraging schoolchildren to take sides in a complex geopolitical conflict does nothing to promote peace nor critical thinking.”

Ambrose Treacy College principal Chris Ryan told The Courier-Mail Ms Naji was never invited to the school in a political capacity.

Ambrose Treacy College, Indooroopilly. Picture: Liam Kidston

“The speaker was invited to briefly address students, not as a Greens candidate but as a person with knowledge of the impact of war on children,” Mr Ryan said in a statement.

“The college was addressing this topic in the context of conflict across the globe. The focus was not limited to the Middle East.

“Schools thrive on providing opportunities for young people to learn more about the world. However, they strive to ensure this occurs in a respectful and balanced way, free of politics.

“The college sought assurances about the speaker’s focus and content which were accepted by the speaker. Unfortunately, the college believes that those assurances were not fully upheld.

“Given people under 18 years can’t vote, it is hoped that any politicians understand the importance of school interactions being focused on educating young people rather than politicking.

“After the assembly, the college contacted the Greens to ask for a social media post to be deleted. The post was edited to remove any mention of the college.

“In hindsight, the college erred in inviting the speaker. We should not have extended the invitation. We will ensure this does not happen again.

Greens MP Michael Berkman. Picture Lachie Millard

“Ambrose Treacy College has had a strong connection with the Jewish community, including through several Jewish families who attend the college. We have an ongoing relationship with the Courage to Care program which partners with the stories of Holocaust survivors.”

Following the February 25 assembly, Ms Naji took a selfie with Mr Berkman outside the Indooroopilly school, in Brisbane’s west.

In a since-edited social media post, she said: “Thank you Ambrose Treacy College for inviting Michael Berkman and me to speak at their Empower Week assembly, to share the impacts of war on Palestinian children.

“So if you are connected to any school on the southside, and you want students at your school to feel empowered to take action on genocide – please reach out to arrange a visit.”

A Greens spokesman said Ms Naji was invited to speak at Ambrose Treacy College assembly as part of their Empower Week, which was focused on the plight of children in conflict zones.

“Michael Berkman, as the local state MP for the area, was asked to attend and introduce Remah to the school assembly.

“The school raised no concerns about the content of Remah’s presentation either at the time or subsequently, and we understand that the presentation was what the school had sought.

“Any further questions or concerns should be addressed to Ambrose Treacy College.”

Originally published as ‘Deeply troubling’: Angry parents slam Brisbane college for ‘pro-Palestine’ speaker