A recent report has revealed increasing instances of anti-Palestinian racism in schools across Australia. The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) published its first national register report, detailing experiences of students, teachers, and community members. The report was released on Friday and analyzed testimonies from 84 respondents over four months, from March to July 2024.

The report highlights a climate of fear and intimidation following the escalation of violence in Gaza after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel. Families reported incidents of racial violence that educators often ignored. For instance, a Year 2 student in Victoria was told by a Jewish peer, "I can't wait to help the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) go kill Palestinians." Another Palestinian student was physically attacked for speaking Arabic.

The report also noted that a Palestinian teacher was prohibited from wearing her grandmother's keffiyeh after a complaint. Additionally, a primary school teacher was labeled a "terrorist" for wearing the cultural scarf, and a casual staff member had their shifts reduced after displaying a pro-Palestinian badge. APAN found that some schools were disciplining students and teachers for discussing the situation in Gaza or showing symbols of Palestinian solidarity.

Ryan Al-Natour, a co-author of the report and an anti-racist education academic, stated that the recorded instances have taken a "profound" toll on individuals. He pointed out a contradiction in educational institutions that promote cultural diversity while silencing those who speak out against perceived injustices. "There is a huge contradiction happening here," Dr. Al-Natour said.

The report comes in the wake of findings from the United Nations Human Rights Council, which concluded that Israel demonstrated "genocidal intent" in Gaza. Dr. Al-Natour emphasized that the number of participants in the report reflects awareness of the register rather than the total cases of anti-Palestinian racism in schools. He noted that such incidents are becoming increasingly common in Australian educational institutions.

Rumzi Hajaj, a parent from Sydney, shared his concerns about his child's experiences with covert racism. He recounted an incident where a teacher warned his child about wearing a Palestinian badge, saying, "Oh be careful walking around with those on your back, you might upset someone." This comment left his child confused and reluctant to wear Palestinian clothing for Harmony Day.

Dr. Al-Natour described the experiences shared in the report as "awfully familiar," noting that anti-Palestinian racism is prevalent. He mentioned that students and educators often feel anxious and dehumanized due to these experiences.

Chris Breen, a Sydney high school teacher, stated that APAN's findings represent only a fraction of the issue. He noted that anti-Palestinian racism is widespread in New South Wales schools, where over half of the report's responses originated. Breen recounted instances where students faced reprimands for expressing their identity, such as drawing a Palestinian flag on their hand. He expressed concern that schools have not provided adequate support for students affected by the conflict.

Breen called for a national coordinated approach to support students and staff who have faced discrimination. He suggested that educators and students should feel confident discussing current events, including the Israel-Gaza conflict. Dr. Al-Natour echoed this sentiment, urging education departments to develop strategies to combat racism and address the topic of Palestine in schools.

Giridharan Sivaraman, the race discrimination commissioner at the Human Rights Commission, emphasized the need for a review of complaint-handling mechanisms in schools. He stated, "We need to improve racial literacy of students and of teachers and of principals and of the departments that administer these schools."

The report sheds light on the challenges faced by Palestinian students and educators in Australia, highlighting the need for systemic change to address racism in educational settings.