During a recent school excursion to the Melbourne Museum, students from Mount Scopus Memorial College, a Jewish primary school, were subjected to anti-Semitic taunts by a group of Year 10 students from another Melbourne high school. As the Mount Scopus students explored the museum, they encountered these older students who began chanting “Free Free Palestine,” followed by a barrage of derogatory slurs.
The incident has elicited strong reactions from parents, with one grandfather stating that his 10-year-old granddaughter is understandably traumatised by the experience. He expressed bewilderment over the hostile comments directed at her, including claims that she was a “baby killer” and “dirty Jew.” The principal of Mount Scopus, Dan Sztrajt, expressed deep concern and disappointment regarding the occurrence, emphasising that no child should ever feel endangered or targeted due to their identity.
In response to the incident, Sztrajt has reached out to the principal of the other school, who also conveyed his concern. Mount Scopus has proposed collaborative efforts to create an educational response to address the prejudices displayed. Sztrajt underscored the collective duty of educators to challenge discrimination and foster understanding through education.
Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll publicly condemned the attacks, stating his dismay over the anti-Semitic abuse directed toward Mount Scopus students and assuring that support would be extended to help them recover from the incident. He reiterated the unacceptable nature of such behaviour in educational environments, highlighting that hate has no place in Victoria and that the state’s strength lies in its diversity.
Museums Victoria, the organisation overseeing the museum, has also reached out to those involved, allowing the matter to be handled privately. This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the persistent issues surrounding anti-Semitism, and the vital need for continued education and dialogue to combat intolerance in communities.