Statement in support of teachers and school staff speaking for Palestine

The Loud Jew Collective stands strongly behind Jason Wong and all teachers who are speaking about the atrocities that Israel is committing in Palestine. Teachers should be able to speak on current events and discuss them publicly in and out of the classroom. Students have a right to learn the facts about the situation in Gaza, to learn history and to think critically about the world.

The Victorian Department of Education is threatening teachers in an attempt to stop them from speaking about Palestine, insinuating that political discussions and analysis on global events is not welcome in the classroom.

Many of us attended Jewish schools and we know what it’s like to receive revisionist education about Israel. We know that the clock did not begin on October 7 and that denying the actions of Israel during its 75 years of occupation and 15 year siege on Gaza is unjust and untruthful.

We know that many Jews feel uncomfortable when they hear people standing up for Palestinian rights and freedom, when people speak out against genocide. But it is incumbent upon them to interrogate this discomfort, rather than trying to punish and shut down those who speak the truth. Because we also know that there are targeted campaigns to punish people who publicly support Palestine, and we need to fight back against these efforts to silence critique of Israel. Speaking about the brutal violence perpetrated by the Israeli state is not antisemitic. It is vital and it is humane and we must continue to speak out to end the genocide occuring in Gaza!

30 January 2024