Jewish students shocked over pro-Palestine reference in legal exam paper
Victorian Jewish students have revealed their distress over a practice legal studies exam paper from a private company containing a pro-Palestinian article.
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Victorian Jewish students are distressed that a practice legal studies exam paper from a private company contains a pro-Palestinian article as part of one of the question prompts.
The paper, from TSSM, a company that produces hundreds of mock exams purchased by schools and students, talks about a desire to see an end to the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.
One Jewish student who contacted the Herald Sun said the paper was “really distressing”.
The ABC article, used as source material in a question about persuading parliaments to change laws, describes Palestinian supporters gathering in Brisbane last December, chanting “free, free Palestine” and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
It quotes one event organiser who said she was “praying the protests would give hope to their ‘brothers and sisters’ in Gaza, and bring an end to suffering”.
It doesn’t present any views from an alternative perspective or quote anyone from the Israeli side of the conflict. Nor does it address the cause of the war which was the attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Dvir Abramovich, chair of The Anti-Defamation Commission said he was “deeply disturbed” by the inclusion of the article in the practice exam, which is understood to have been used in a number of schools.
“At first glance, this might appear to be a straightforward recounting of events. But beneath the surface lies a far more dangerous reality. This article woefully stripped away the vital context, leaving students with a distorted, incomplete picture of a deeply complex and volatile situation,” he said.
“The chant “Free, Free Palestine,” for instance, is not simply a call for peace — it’s a slogan that, for many, represents a desire to see the State of Israel wiped off the map,” Mr Abramovich said.
It’s understood the company has agreed to remove the question and review its processes.
The Herald Sun has contacted the company for comment.
The legal studies exam will be sat by students across the state on November 11 at 3pm.
Originally published as Jewish students shocked over pro-Palestine reference in legal exam paper
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