Students at Wesley College in South Perth have been suspended following allegations of antisemitic bullying that occurred in an online group chat. The students are accused of sharing antisemitic language and memes targeting a classmate.
School's response
The school has not disclosed the number of students involved, but in a statement, it said: “The college acted immediately. The students responsible were suspended and the matter was addressed directly with the students and families involved.”
The family of the bullied student expressed disappointment that the incident occurred but said they were “satisfied” with the school's response. They noted that the school was informed by concerned students rather than by their son.
Premier condemns allegations
Premier Roger Cook strongly condemned the incident, stating, “This sort of behaviour is unacceptable and we condemn it.” He expressed hope that the school would take all necessary actions to ensure a safe and peaceful community for its students.
The incident comes amid broader concerns about antisemitism in Australian schools. A Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has heard testimony about alleged antisemitism faced by staff and students. Australia's special envoy to combat Jewish hate, Jillian Segal, has called for antisemitism training to be implemented across all levels of education.
