Mount Scopus primary students targeted with anti-Semitic abuse during Melbourne Museum excursion

A group of Jewish primary school students has been subjected to vile anti-Semitic abuse during a school excursion, with older students from another school reportedly hurling slurs at the children in what has been condemned as a chilling act of hatred.

The incident occurred on Thursday during a Year 5 excursion by Mount Scopus Memorial College to the Melbourne Museum.

The students, aged 10 and 11, many of whom were visibly Jewish, were reportedly confronted by a group of high school students from another school, who directed offensive slurs and political chants at them in a shared activity space.

The high school students are alleged to have called the children “dirty Jews” and chanted “Free, free Palestine” in a confrontation that left the younger children shocked and distressed.

In a letter sent to parents and seen by the Herald Sun, Mount Scopus deputy principal Greg Hannon said the incident had been taken seriously, and staff from the offending students’ school were approached immediately.

“Our group leader immediately confronted the senior school educators to address the behaviour of their students,” Mr Hannon wrote.

“Upon returning to the college, we conducted a well-being check on all students to ensure they felt safe and supported.”

One parent, writing on social media, described the incident involving his 10-year-old son as terrifying.

“Today, my 10-year-old son went on an excursion to the Melbourne Museum,” he wrote.

“What should have been a day of learning and culture turned into a terrifying experience when he and his classmates were targeted by high school students from a different school.

“They were tapped on the shoulder and then chanted at by these 16 and 17-year-old students, ‘Free Palestine’ and then, as they walked away, were called ‘dirty Jews’ and other racist comments.

“This is not a political debate; this is pure, unadulterated anti-Semitism and hate.”

The attack comes amid a wave of anti- Semitic incidents across Melbourne in recent months. Earlier this year, an Israeli restaurant in the CBD was stormed by protesters, and several synagogues have been targeted in arson attacks, including the destruction of the Adass Israel synagogue in a firebombing.

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria said it had informed the Education Department of Thursday’s incident and warned it reflected a disturbing trend.

“The 2024 Victorian Anti-Semitism Report showed a record number of anti-Semitic incidents targeting Jewish schools and Jewish students,” CEO Naomi Levin said.

“It is completely unacceptable that our youngest community members are being targeted.”

Mount Scopus Memorial College has previously been targeted by vandals who spray-painted “Jew Die” on the front fence. Despite CCTV footage being supplied to authorities, it is understood no one was ever charged.

Dr Dvir Abramovich, chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission, called the incident “unforgivable and chilling” and said an investigation must be launched by the Department of Education.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry chief executive Alex Ryvchin also condemned the abuse, saying the high school students had brought “disgrace to themselves, their school and their country.”

“Where would Australian high school students learn this behaviour?” he said.

“Form the belief that it is OK, even righteous, to see a Jewish symbol on the uniforms of 8 and 9-year-olds and subject them to chants about Palestine?

“It comes from a certain moral collapse brought about by nearly two years of normalised abuse and violence, where anyone who holds an opposing view on the war is a Nazi and a baby-killer, where anything down to Jews living peacefully on the other side of the world is justified, or if impossible to defend, it’s a false flag.”

Zionist Federation of Australia chief executive Alon Cassuto said the incident reflected a “deeper sickness” in parts of Victorian society.

“Ten-year-olds, on an innocent excursion, were harassed and targeted not for what they did, but for who they are,” he said.

In a statment from the Minister for Education, Ben Carroll, said, “I’ve spoken with the Principal of Mount Scopus College today and conveyed my disgust at the antisemitic attacks on their students yesterday”.

“I have offered every support possible to help them through this incident”, Mr Carroll continued.

“It is unacceptable that students or staff feel unsafe in the community where they learn, work and play.

“Hate has no place in Victoria. Our strength is our diversity”.

The Education Department has not yet confirmed whether an investigation is underway.

Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.

Lifeline: 13 11 14.