Overview

• On Thursday at Melbourne Museum, students from an unnamed high school allegedly directed antisemitic slurs and “Free Palestine” chants at fifth-graders from Mount Scopus Memorial College.
• Museums Victoria chief executive Lynley Crosswell apologised for the incident and has launched a formal investigation into the behaviour.
• Mount Scopus deputy principal Greg Hannon said staff immediately separated the groups and contacted the other school’s principal to address the misconduct.
• Education Minister Ben Carroll conveyed his disgust and pledged support, and the Department of Education has engaged both schools after the Jewish Community Council of Victoria raised parental concerns.
• Victoria’s strengthened anti-vilification laws, passed in April, will broaden protections and criminalise serious public and online vilification when they take effect on September 20, 2025.