“Outrageous and scandalous” – Jewish leader condemns use of students in divisive protest
A protest today outside Granville Boys High School in Western Sydney has drawn strong condemnation from David Ossip, President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies.
He called the rally “outrageous, scandalous, and sad” and warned that it was part of a broader effort to disrupt and destabilise Australian life.
The demonstration was organised in support of Sheikh Wesam Charkawi, a student support officer ordered to work from home after he defended two Bankstown nurses accused of making antisemitic remarks about harming Israeli patients. The protest saw students and community members chanting “Allahu Akbar”, waving Palestinian and Lebanese flags, and demanding Charkawi’s reinstatement. The protest was promoted on social media by several organisations including Teachers 4 Palestine, Palestine Action Group and Stand 4 Palestine.
Granville Boys High School protest (screenshot via X)
Ossip strongly condemned the event, raising concerns about the use of schoolchildren in a politically charged rally and questioning why public institutions were being used for activism.
“These are incredibly troubling scenes. It is outrageous, scandalous, and sad that children at a taxpayer-funded school were exploited as props at a divisive political rally,” he said.
He also warned of radicalisation within schools, expressing alarm over how the protest was allowed to take place:
“How were radicals allowed to stand outside the school gates and whip students into a fervour? How could any student or staff member who doesn’t share the views of the demonstrators feel safe in that environment?”
Ossip specifically criticised activist teachers, particularly those involved with Teachers for Palestine NSW, for using public education as a platform for political expression:
“For how much longer are we going to tolerate teachers employed by the public service misusing their positions?” he asked.
He called for immediate action to prevent similar incidents from occurring in Australian schools, arguing that such activism threatens political neutrality and student safety.
“We need to confront the reality that we are facing a campaign designed to disrupt and destabilise all aspects of Australian life—including our schools.”
The NSW Department of Education responded by reiterating that all employees must “uphold political neutrality” and warning that students who ignored school staff instructions during the protest could face disciplinary action.
Ossip’s remarks reflect growing concerns among Jewish community leaders about rising antisemitism and the politicisation of schools, particularly in Western Sydney, where the Israel-Gaza conflict has become a deeply divisive issue.
The protest at Granville Boys High School underscores the growing political significance of Muslim voters in Western Sydney, a region where they make up a substantial and influential voting bloc. Traditionally a Labor stronghold, shifting sentiments have led to increasing calls for stronger political representation. With Western Sydney’s Muslim community playing a key role in elections, parties and candidates are under mounting pressure to address their concerns or risk losing support in upcoming elections.
This is not an Australia that I left Scotland for. It is extraordinary that this government has failed our Jewish community from the start. Labor has given up its pro-Israel tradition, the Greens have offered nothing to Australia but hate and division and the Teals are a wishy washy left wing mirror of the Greens.And now to see schoolchildren so indoctrinated by hate and ignorance leaves me cold. Time for us all to understand that this is a country built on respect for each other. We are all here because we wanted better lives. Not so our Muslim diaspora which puts its religious malevolence about Jews before it’s acceptance that we are all the same, doing our best to make this country safe and welcoming to all.