Anti-Defamation Commission condemns chant during Victorian Zoom session
A VCE exam-preparation session for Victorian year 12 students was disrupted on 27 August when a student began a “Free Palestine” chant during a Zoom Q&A, according to the Anti-Defamation Commission.
The incident happened on Thursday night during a Texts and Traditions Exam Preparation Evening for students in Victoria.
Event material described the session as exam support with briefings from the Assistant Chief Assessor, a successful 2025 student and specialists for each text.
It also stated that inappropriate chat or comments would lead to a student’s automatic removal from the session.
After the formal briefings ended, organisers opened the floor to questions. Following several questions, one student asked if they could add something further and then said: “Free Palestine.”
Several classmates then unmuted themselves and joined in, creating commotion in the session, the commission said.
A Jewish student who contacted the commission said the adults running the event did not address the disruption, did not warn students about political slogans and continued the Q&A.
Palestine image stayed in chat
After the chant, an image of Palestine was posted in the Zoom chat and received heart reactions, according to the student.
The same student reported that organisers had promptly deleted earlier emojis, while the Palestine image remained visible.
ADC chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich criticised the organisers’ response and said Jewish students were already living with heightened fear.
“Even a VCE study session is no longer a safe place for Jewish students,” Dr Abramovich said.
He also said: “The silence from those in charge sent a message that Jewish students’ safety and wellbeing were invisible.”
The Anti-Defamation Commission, which says it has fought antisemitism in Australia since 1979, condemned the incident after the student complaint.
However, the commission did not identify the school, the organisers or how many students attended the 27 August session.
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