fbpx

Australian State Education Minister to Investigate Anti-Semitic Incidents

[additional-authors]
October 4, 2019
Photo from Wikipedia.

James Merlino, the Minister of Education for the Australian state of Victoria, announced in an Oct. 4 statement that his department will investigate two reported instances of anti-Semitism. 

The Australian Jewish News (AJN) reported on Oct. 3 that a 12-year-old Jewish student at Cheltenham Secondary College was forced to kiss the feet of a Muslim student in July in front of nine other students, which was then filmed and posted to Instagram. 

The AJN report also documented a five-year-old student at Hawthorn West Primary School being bombarded with anti-Semitic slurs due to being circumcised. Neither school was willing to classify the incidents as anti-Semitic.

Merlino called the reported instances “appalling” and condemned anti-Semitism.

“Wherever anti-Semitism occurs, we must be vigilant, respond immediately, and most importantly educate our children,” Merlino said.

He added that one of the Cheltenham students has been suspended, although it was not immediately clear if he was referring to the Muslim student.

“However, I am still very concerned by the parents’ reports and I have asked for an immediate review into how both schools have handled these matters, to ensure they were dealt with appropriately,” Merlino said.

The statement concluded with Merlino saying that he’ll be meeting with the families of the students as well as various Jewish groups. 

“If further changes are necessary to guard against anti-Semitism and the impact it can have on our community we stand ready to make them,” he said.

Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted that the reported instances of anti-Semitism are “a heartbreaking reminder of the pain caused by #antiSemitism. No child should have to go through this.”

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) tweeted that the reported instances were “shocking” and that “the parents have no choice but to remove their kids from school. How can this be happening in Australia?”

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

A Deafening Silence

A Jewish woman burned to death on American soil. The violence wasn’t random. It was ideological, premeditated, and still, almost no one says her name.

Refreshing Summer Salads

Bright, earthy and deeply refreshing, this salad brings together the forest-like aroma of fresh herbs with a sweet and nutty crunch.

Print Issue: Reclaiming American Values | July 4, 2025

“American values” was once shorthand for the animating ideals of liberal democracy. Now it’s become politicized. As we celebrate July 4th, Jews must lead the way in reclaiming an idea that is meant to unite us, not divide us.

Why Jews Must Reclaim American Values

“American values” was once shorthand for the animating ideals of liberal democracy. Now it’s become politicized. As we celebrate July 4, Jews must lead the way in reclaiming an idea that is meant to unite us, not divide us.

Dawn of a New Era in the Middle East

The ceasefire that President Trump brokered is the second crucial step in that process, not the end of the story but the start of a new chapter.

The Fall of Pride. And the March Into Mayhem

To those raising fists in solidarity with the “Free Palestine” movement in the Western world and chanting “resistance by any means necessary,” we ask: Does your “resistance support” include the execution of queer people?

Why Jews Must Stand Up for America

If America is “irredeemably racist,” then so are the Jews. If America is in trouble, then so are the Jews. If more and more people are becoming anti-American, you can be sure they’re also becoming anti-Jewish.

The Fourth of July and ‘Four Score’

This July Fourth, members of the Jewish faith can take particular pride in one of their rabbis likely inspiring America’s most beloved president’s famous phrase.

More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.