Student racism aired at inquiry

By the Editorial Team · Friday, August 7, 2026

A Royal Commission inquiry revealed that Australian schoolchildren, including those as young as year 5, are expressing antisemitic and extremist views, as reported by teachers surveyed after the Bondi Junction stabbing. The findings underscore growing political polarization influencing youth attitudes and highlight the urgent need for educational strategies to combat intolerance and promote social unity.

Disturbing examples of antisemitic remarks made by Australian schoolchildren, including some as young as year 5, were revealed during the Royal Commission into Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion on Thursday. The inquiry was established following the Bondi Junction stabbing attack earlier this year.

Dr. Sara Meger, a researcher with The University of Melbourne, presented findings from a survey involving 511 Australian teachers conducted in the wake of the stabbing incident, which resulted in six fatalities. The study aimed to explore extremist and misogynistic attitudes among young people. Approximately one-quarter of participating teachers reported witnessing some form of extremism or violence exhibited by their students.

Teachers contributing to the study provided quotes illustrating troubling expressions of hatred. Among them, a group of year 10 boys reportedly made rape jokes and expressed sentiments wishing that Adolf Hitler were still alive to "complete the job," referencing the Holocaust. In another instance, a Muslim student was recorded stating that individuals of Jewish descent “deserved acts of terrorism,” while other students expressed broad antisemitic views alongside criticism of non-Muslim communities and voiced support for Palestine.

Concerns were not limited to older students; educators of year 5 and 6 pupils also reported signs of hateful attitudes developing at early ages. Dr. Meger noted that while the original focus of the research was on gender attitudes following the Bondi stabbing, the voluntary, qualitative data revealed the extent to which political polarization is impacting social cohesion among young Australians across a wide age range.

“These insights indicate that divisive political issues are manifesting in schools, influencing student interactions and potentially fostering extremist views earlier than previously expected,” Dr. Meger said.

The Royal Commission’s inquiry highlights the challenges faced by educational institutions and communities in addressing and countering rising intolerance and extremist beliefs among youth, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to promote inclusivity and social cohesion.

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