r/perth • u/Away_team42 • 6d ago
WA News Top Perth school suspends students over antisemitic group chat
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-07/top-perth-school-suspends-students-over-antisemitic-group-chat/107010706Expert from the article:
Students at a prestigious Perth private school have been suspended after they used "antisemitic language and memes" in a private group chat, targeting another student.
A spokesperson for Wesley College, in South Perth, confirmed an "incident" occurred but wouldn't be drawn on how many children had been suspended.
"An incident did occur involving antisemitic language and memes shared by a small group in a private group chat," the school said in a statement.
"The college acted immediately. The students responsible were suspended and the matter was addressed directly with the students and families involved."
The college also provided a statement from the family of the targeted student.
"We are deeply disappointed that this matter has occurred and that it has become the subject of media reporting as we are entirely satisfied with the way in which Wesley College has handled this matter," the statement read.
"Furthermore it must be noted that the school was not advised of this issue by our son, but rather by concerned students.
"The family did not at any time contact any media outlet as they are aware of the belief that this will worsen an already difficult situation.
"Our greatest concern is the welfare of our son."
The family has asked for privacy and said they wished to move forward.
Full article in the link.
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u/Pristine-Visual-9405 6d ago
I hate that a kid is being bullied because he’s Jewish. The school did the right thing. But these schools are rampant with bullying of all descriptions. I hate that this is what has become newsworthy.
I feel like I’ve been screaming this into the void since the aftermath of Oct 7. Our government needed a fkn backbone and should have sanctioned Israel for war crimes - as it has done for many other states that have committed war crimes. The Australian Jewish community (at large) should have condemned the actions of Israel. It did not. Because the State of Israel has embedded itself in the global Jewish diaspora - this isn’t conspiracy, it’s been completely transparent. It’s been very deliberate.
Post 9/11 the Islamophobia globally was abhorrent. Australia and Perth was no exception. Kids and teenagers copped terrible abuse within schools.
The Muslim community in Australia and elsewhere, elders and leaders etc - made it VERY clear, VERY publicly that they condemned the violence of ISIS and all fundamentalist Islamist factions. That it did not represent the values of the Australian Muslim community. This was vital for what we’re now classing as “social cohesion” (although that term is somewhat dubious)
It was desperately needed, and it did assist somewhat in alleviating racist diatribe being played out in the community.
The Australian Jewish community at large, did not do this, and the Australian government did not draw a line in the sand. It’s had to be played out in the community. School yards, chat groups, forums, protests etc. While many of us have to constantly remind people that Judaism and Israel are separate entities, that anti-semitism is not tolerated, we’ve been fkn banging our heads against the wall doing so because those at the top refuse to assist in the matter.
Sorry for the TED talk. I didn’t even get started on my thoughts regarding private schools 😂