More to do
The reports of antisemitic bullying in Victorian public schools are concerning. No Jewish child should be subjected to such vile taunts in what is supposed to be a safe environment.
Back in October 2019, The AJN ran a confronting cover story about antisemitic bullying in Victorian state schools. Throughout the last year, we have covered the ongoing court case of five former Brighton Secondary students who have taken action against the school and the state government for abuse they received. And here we are again, having to report on something that should simply not be happening.
This is not to suggest that the entire system is rife with bullies waiting around every corner biding their time to strike. Australia remains one of the most tolerant nations on earth and one of the best countries in which to live a Jewish life. But as Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) president Daniel Aghion says, one incident of antisemitic bullying is too many.
Action is needed. We do not wish to be reporting on widespread incidents again in four years’ time. Ameliorating the situation will require collaboration between the Victorian state government, state schools, Jewish roof bodies and leaders of other communities and faiths.
We congratulate the JCCV for its initiative in working with the state government in developing and offering a free antisemitism program to all school staff and urge more schools, particularly those affected, to take up the offer.
Educating about the scourge of antisemitism, its manifestations and where it can lead is a key element in confronting it. But it seems it is not only school students who need to be educated.
Vegan activist Tash Peterson’s invoking of the Holocaust lays bare this deficit. Whatever one’s views on animal rights and meat consumption, her remarks alluding to “the animal Holocaust” – on which she has doubled down – are entirely inappropriate.
We are certain Peterson is not herself antisemitic and has not set out to deliberately offend Jews. The issue, however, is that she is unable to see why her words have had this effect.
Both of these examples show that while we are lucky to live in Australia, there is always more work to be done.
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