Published: 28 November 2023
Last updated: 5 March 2024
The call by inner-city Melbourne teachers for a "Week of Action" in support of Palestinians is divisive and inflammatory, says the Minister, Ben Carroll.
The inner-city branch of the Australian Education Union has asked teachers to wear keffiyah, Palestine badges or t-shirts to class as part of a “Week of Action” in solidarity with Palestine.
Teachers are also encouraged to host activities such as inviting Palestinian advocates into schools and playing a video of Palestinian poet Rafeef Ziadeh focused on the young people of Gaza.
Flyers distributed to teachers asking them to participate in the action refer to Israel’s bombing and siege of Gaza but make no mention of the October 7 terrorist attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas which started the war, nor of the rocket campaign by Hamas against Israeli civilians.
Education Minister Ben Carroll told a press conference on Monday that he condemned the action, which comes in the days after a school strike for Palestine.
He said about 20 to 25 teachers from some government schools in the Flemington, Fitzroy, Collingwood and Princes Hill areas supported the motion, which was not endorsed by the rest of the union.
“This action is inflammatory, it’s divisive, and only sows more seeds of disharmony in our community,” Carroll said. “We’re calling on all teachers that hold a privileged position to teach the curriculum in the classroom not to invite strangers or political activists into the classroom.
“I reiterate, this action is divisive and inflammatory, and I condemn it.”
Carroll said it was a matter for the Department of Education whether there were consequences for those who participated, and said he hoped it did not get to the point of sacking teachers. He was getting advice on whether the department could instruct teachers and staff not to wear specific attire, such as a badge or keffiyeh.
