Investigation Launched into Anti-Semitic Incident at Sydney Catholic School

Year 10 students at Marcellin College, a prominent Catholic school in Sydney, are currently under investigation by NSW Police following the circulation of an anti-Semitic video and messages in a Jewish group chat. The video, which has been obtained by Sky News, shows a student performing a Nazi salute in a classroom setting. Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, expressed deep concern over the normalization of such harmful ideologies among young people, emphasizing the dangers of trivializing the Holocaust and anti-Semitism. The Snapchat group, reportedly initiated by students from Moriah College, another Sydney school, includes around 200 participants, some of whom are from Marcellin. Disturbing messages exchanged in the chat included threats and derogatory remarks directed at Jewish students, highlighting a troubling trend of anti-Semitic bullying in Australian schools, which has reportedly surged since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Sydney Catholic Schools confirmed that the school acted promptly upon receiving reports of the inappropriate content. Both Marcellin and Moriah Colleges are collaborating to address the situation, with disciplinary measures being implemented for the students involved. Principal Mira Hasofer reassured parents that the matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness and care. Ryvchin called for decisive disciplinary action to prevent the normalization of such behavior, stressing the need for a clear societal message against anti-Semitism.