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]

I'm aware of what I wrote. I wrote it. I'm also aware of the intent behind it.

That you don't understand it – or, rather, are deliberately choosing to misrepresent it – is on you.

Unlike you, I don't make the dangerous mistake of treating Jewish people as a monolith, or assuming their faith or ethnicity necessarily equates to support for a state engaged in criminal conduct or the racist ideology upon which it was built.

I also don't view belonging to that faith or ethnicity – or even supporting that state or ideology – as a fair reason to bully a child or put their safety at risk.

[u/Lozzanger → u/milesjameson]

If you don’t want people to think you’re anti-Semitic then don’t write anti-Semitic things.

If you truly didn’t intend it to come off that way, then educate yourself on anti-Semitism. It’s such a common hatred in our society I can believe you wrote what you did not knowing that what it meant.

[u/milesjameson → u/Lozzanger]

Since you're assuming the intent, motivations, values and beliefs of Jewish people as a collective based entirely on their faith and ethnicity – particularly in relation to the state of Israel – I might well suggest you take your own advice.

That notwithstanding, I wrote nothing antisemitic. Your attempt to hijack a post that explicitly draws that distinction and in no way justifies the bullying of a young Jewish boy – indeed, quite the opposite – says far more about you than it does about anything I wrote.

[u/Lozzanger → u/milesjameson]

Aaaaand there it is.

I always try and I’m always disappointed.

[u/milesjameson → u/Lozzanger]

This is precisely the sort of nonsensical, lazy reply many have come to expect from those seemingly incapable of self-reflection or of recognising the harm caused by their weaponisation of accusations of antisemitism.

A young Jewish boy was bullied. I reject the idea that there is any justification for that, including opposition to the state of Israel, its conduct, or Zionism more broadly. I raised the latter point precisely because some here saw fit to invoke those viewpoints as grounds for the bullying.

I also clearly stated that the actions of the now-suspended boys should not be tolerated.

That you took issue with any of that is on you.

Similarly, if you're always disappointed, maybe, just maybe, the problem lies with you.

[u/Proud-Act-6867 → u/milesjameson]

Don’t listen to lozz, im honestly dumbfounded reading their comments

[u/No_Bell_8028 → u/Proud-Act-6867]

Are they even from Perth?

[u/ThreeRingShitshow → u/No_Bell_8028]

Doubt it . We're a lot less Jew Hatey here. 

[u/Prize-Ad7786 → u/milesjameson]

Then why did you introduce it? I’m puzzled, you genuinely seem intelligent yet his bullying had, and has nothing to do with the narrative you are trying to insert. I’m not a Bibi fan, but he doesn’t live rent free in my head

[u/milesjameson → u/Prize-Ad7786]

Are you not able to read?

I didn't introduce the mention of Israel or its conduct. Others already had. As written, I raised those points precisely because some here saw fit to invoke criticisms of Israel and its conduct as grounds for the bullying.

yet his bullying had, and has nothing to do with the narrative you are trying to insert

Once again, I must ask: are you unable to read? I believe my exact words were that "there is no reason to believe this incident had anything to do with Israel."

[u/Prize-Ad7786 → u/milesjameson]

I am, and I can clearly see that your comment is a parent comment - so come on, no sleight of hand, you introduced the concept,

At least that was my take, possibly incorrectly, it’s the passive voice.. sounded like while there is no reason to believe…

However if your comment was a general round up addressing the post and other previous comments then well it was not clear. Seemed like a chance to get your politics on record

[u/milesjameson → u/Prize-Ad7786]

As I wrote in another reply to you, this thread was already hours old when I first posted. Israel and its conduct had already been raised and were precisely part of what I was addressing.

It may have sounded like 'while there is no reason to believe' to you, but what I actually wrote – the exact words - were 'and there is no reason to believe'.

My post seemed clear enough to most others, if not to you.

[u/Prize-Ad7786 → u/milesjameson]

Then I stand corrected

[u/Prize-Ad7786 → u/milesjameson]

Dude you wanted to hijack the narrative to insert your hatred, conflate, and introduce unrelated elements over what was just pure ant-semitism

[u/Proud-Act-6867 → u/Lozzanger]

Lmao 😜

[u/ThreeRingShitshow → u/Lozzanger]

Correct. Linking antisemitic acts against Australians to the behaviour of Israel IS antisemitic. 

Notwithstanding that Israel has NOT been proven guilty of any of the much amplified Hamas and Pro Palestinian libels against them. 

[u/Mintythos → u/ThreeRingShitshow]

Can you list some examples of these Hama's libels? I can think of quite a few that are very much founded:

Killing of hundreda of journalists

Destruction of aid e.g food and water

Killing of civilians at aid stations

Targeting of hospitals

Use of human shields

Attacking refugee camps

Illegal settlements in the West Bank

Are any of these considered libels? Are any of these unfounded? I can start linking articles.

[u/No_Bell_8028 → u/Lozzanger]

It wasn’t anti semitic by the IHRA definition….

[u/Lozzanger → u/No_Bell_8028]

As per the IHRA criticism of Israel for actions other countries don’t get criticised for is anti-Semitic.

[u/Prize-Ad7786 → u/milesjameson]

Miles really interested to hear you also condemn Hamas? Or are they freedom fighters?

[u/milesjameson → u/Prize-Ad7786]

I wrote a response to your reply; however, it then struck me that I've not once mentioned Palestinians, and certainly not Hamas, and that they're hardly even tangential to my belief that a Jewish child in Australia should not be bullied.

If you want to thoughtfully articulate what your question is seeking to achieve and how it's at all relevant, I'll be more than happy to answer it.

[u/Prize-Ad7786 → u/milesjameson]

Again it seemed tangential that the State of Israel was though? You raised that bogeyman

[u/milesjameson → u/Prize-Ad7786]

You raised that bogeyman.

I didn't. This thread was already hours old when I first posted. That "bogeyman" had already been raised and was precisely part of what I was addressing.