The Herald Sun reported on December 19 that a teacher at Prahran High School was asked to face disciplinary action for praising Hamas at a pro-Palestinian rally.
Jason Wong, a VCE science and biology teacher at the school, told thousands of protesters in Melbourne's CBD on Sunday that "what Hamas is doing is exactly what they have to do".
The Herald Sun was told that Jewish teachers and students at Prahran High School felt "unsafe" because of Wong's controversial remarks and actions.
"There are several Jewish students and teachers in the school, which makes them very upset," a source said. ”
"He wore an Arab headscarf to school all the time and preached his pro-Palestinian views in class. ”
"His serious conduct justified him losing his job or being suspended. ”
(Image source: Herald Sun)
Jeremy Leibler, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, said one teacher praised a terrorist group's actions as "appalling".
"We rely on a teacher to guide our children, but this teacher is abusing his influence," Leibler said. ”
"We can see in the Brighton case that the court found the principal to be negligent in his duty to the students when he refused to take action to protect the school's Jewish students. ”
"Wong should be suspended immediately and pending review by the Department of Education. It is clear that his propaganda against terrorist organizations is not in keeping with his public role and duties. ”
The incident comes as an increasing number of teachers have been wearing Arabic headscarves in their classrooms in recent weeks.
(Image source: Herald Sun)
Shadow Director of Education Jess Wilson said: "A Victorian teacher has publicly supported a recognised terrorist organisation and this should be a concern for every Victorian. ”
"Our community is not allowed to promote a recognized terrorist organization, let alone our classrooms. ”
Dvir Abramovich, chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, described the incident as a "pivotal moment" for the Department of Education and urged it to do more to ensure the safety of Jewish and Israeli-Australian students and teachers.
"Unless [the Department of Education] takes decisive action on this troubling issue, no Jewish or Israeli parent can be expected to send a child to Prahran High School when there is a teacher who openly supports Hamas terrorists who execute children and behead babies," he said. ”
Abramovich also called on Education Director Ben Carroll and the School Council to "review whether (Wong's) faculty should be retained."
(Image source: Twitter)
In the two weeks leading up to the incident, at least 20 educators took to social media to share photos of them wearing Arabic headscarves in their classrooms, offices, near school football fields and at home.
The photos were shared in the Facebook group "Teachers and School Staff for Palestine - Vic". In the group, teachers were reminded that "they wore Arabic headscarves to work and did not violate the code of conduct" and were called "brave".
Another parent told The Herald Sun that schools in Melbourne's north allow students to paint murals in support of Palestine in their classrooms.
There have been reports of students "pressuring teachers" to ask them whether they are "pro-Palestinian or pro-Israeli."
Carroll has previously condemned educators involved in the "Solidarity with Palestine" campaign, calling such actions "inflammatory" and "divisive."
"Teachers should not use their professional position to make political statements, but should support students and think critically about a variety of perspectives on complex issues," a spokesperson for the Department of Education said.
"The vast majority of principals and school staff have been doing an excellent job since Oct. 7 to continue to support their school community during this time that remains extremely painful for many. ”
The principal of Prahran High School responded, saying that he was dealing with a complaint about a teacher praising Hamas at a rally in support of Palestine "with the utmost seriousness".
In a letter to the parents of the students, Principal Nathan Chisholm said steps were being taken to address the incident, which was reported in the media.
"I am limited in the details I am able to provide, but I want to reassure you that I am taking this issue with the utmost seriousness and am working with the Department of Education," Chisholm said. ”
"You may have seen the name of our school in recent media reports related to the protests over the conflict in the Middle East, and the views expressed by one of our faculty members. ”
"I want to make it clear that the words and actions in the report do not in any way reflect the views of our school. ”
"Prahran High School is an inclusive school community where the safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority. ”
"I am proud that I have always and will always condemn any discriminatory behavior that arises in the school or community. I am convinced of this. ”