Schools Fear Rising Tension

Islamic and Jewish schools are installing and upgrading fences, CCTV and gates amid fears cultural and religious tensions could turn violent.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal that schools fearful of escalating violence have begun taking up federal and state government grants to fast-track security upgrades to bolster playground security.

It includes 27 independent Jewish and Muslim schools worried about the threat of ­violent extremism amid the ­Israel-Gaza conflict.

A senior Jewish community source said federal government funding had “expedited” physical security upgrades at schools and synagogues, including new and enhanced “walls, gates and windows”.

Zionism Victoria executive director Zeddy Lawrence said it was “sad this has to happen but … it’s far better to take precautions now than to mourn a tragedy later”.

Muslim schools are also stepping up security, with Islamic Council of Victoria President Adel Salman telling the Sunday Herald Sun it was “prudent” for schools to review and strengthen their security amid rising Islamophobia.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this month announced ASIO had raised the National Terrorism Threat Level from Possible to Probable.

ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said the conflict in Gaza – while not the cause – was a “significant driver” of the threat of terrorism.

It also comes as Australia’s inaugural anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal revealed last week that Victoria was the worst state in Australia for anti-Semitism, with more than 800 anti-Semitic incidents recorded since October 7.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands other schools have also been increasing security and social cohesion measures with the cost-of-living crisis fuelling disquiet in local communities.

Deputy Premier Ben Carroll said: “Victorian government schools are overwhelmingly inclusive and cohesive environments that support the learning and wellbeing of all students.

“Victorian schools have a long history of welcoming and supporting students whose families have had to flee areas of conflict and persecution.”

Government sources said that in recent months there has been increasing concern about non-racial rivalries forming within communities between “the haves and have-nots”.

It can also be revealed that the state education department has set up a secret internal unit to tackle issues that could impact social cohesion.

The Albanese government in October announced $25m would be rolled out to both Jewish and Muslim communities across Australia for security and education.

The state government also announced an $8m investment in November to Jewish and Muslim communities – $4m of which is to Jewish and Islamic schools for security.

It comes as top ministers have been meeting with local councils, community groups and schools to ensure that social cohesion does not deteriorate further.

In April, Premier Jacinta Allan met with President of the Zionist Federation of Australia Jeremy Leibler to discuss matters of anti-Semitism. Mr Carroll met with multiple groups over the last quarter, including the Bachar Houli Foundation and the Islamic Schools Association of Australia.

And Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt met with the Islamic Council of Victoria and the Victorian Multicultural Commission Multifaith Leaders.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands that after October 7 the Victorian government set up a cabinet committee to look into the matter.