School students in NSW have ditched class in support of Palestine.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Hundreds of people have gathered in Sydney and Wollongong on November 24 as part of the School Strike 4 Palestine.
It follows similar events in Melbourne and Adelaide on November 23 where thousands turned out with signs, flags and cries of "free, free Palestine".
In going ahead with the rallies the students have rejected calls from the state government to remain in school.
Earlier this week NSW Premier Chris Minns advised, "if you want to change the world, get an education".
The rallies have drawn backlash from members of the Jewish community including the Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin.
"This will cause incredible emotional harm to Jewish students," he said.
"Seeing their classmates chant slogans, march and wave placards that are hostile to their community, that ignore or deny the trauma of the October 7 atrocities, will cause permanent damage to cohesion in classrooms.
"Jewish students and teachers will never feel safe and accepted among colleagues and peers that participate in these actions."
A NSW Department of Education spokesperson said: "Friday is a school day and students are expected to attend unless they have a legitimate reason to be absent".
Melbourne students vow to strike again
Following a successful rally in the eyes of organisers in Melbourne, students have vowed to walk out of school again on December 7.
"Today was a wonderful day of joy at collective protest and resistance," Melbourne rally organiser Ivy, aged 16, said on November 23.
"Thousands of students defied calls of politicians, principals and the media who wanted us to shut up and stay in school.
"Well we're not going to shut up while our government supports genocide and apartheid."
The students' demands include an end to the war, the release of Palestinian political prisoners and an end to occupation of "all Palestinian territory".
They also call on the Australian government to cut all political, economic and military ties with Israel until such demands are fulfilled.
