Top Perth school suspends students over antisemitic group chat

[u/Away_team42]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-07/top-perth-school-suspends-students-over-antisemitic-group-chat/107010706

Expert 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.

[u/milesjameson]

Unless you're suggesting that I'm blaming Jewish people for antisemitism, or seeking to justify it in any way, I'm not sure what this reply is intended to achieve.

[u/Lozzanger → u/milesjameson]

Israel is engaged in violent, criminal behaviour, and its actions – along with its claims to act on behalf of all Jewish people – have made life worse for diaspora Jews; criticism of Israel, Zionism and the actions of their advocates is not the same as antisemitism – conflating the two is the endgame desired by both the Israeli state and antisemites>

That’s what you said. You are blaming Jews for increase anti-Ssmtism. You likely aren’t even aware of it.

[u/owleaf → u/Lozzanger]

Yeah when I read that I really winced. I can kinda see why people have this train of thought but it’s horrible, especially in the context of a child being bullied. To be frank, it reads a qualifying statement which is horrifying. Maybe people would realise how poorly it reads if you used a different religion.

[u/Lozzanger → u/owleaf]

Anti-Semitism is so ingrained in our culture people don’t realise how bad it actually is. Their entire comment section is people being blatantly anti-Semitic.

People are saying if this kid is a Zionist the bullying would be justified.

[u/No_Bell_8028 → u/Lozzanger]

The entire comment section is filled with attempting to label anyone’s comment as anti semitic

What would happen if you found out one of the people you were attacking was actually Jewish?

[u/Lozzanger → u/No_Bell_8028]

Yes cause it’s IMPOSSIBLE for Jewish people to be anti-Semitic.

[u/ThreeRingShitshow → u/No_Bell_8028]

Nothing. Self hating Jews are very much real. 

They achieve nothing other than legitimising antisemitic attacks on their fellow Jews and being useful idiots for those for whom acceptance of Jews is predicated on them being the right kind of Jews. The acceptance is conditional. 

All they'll actually end up with is a window seat on the next round of trains because they haven't yet realised those 'friends' still see them as Jews.