A spokesman for a Queensland school for Jewish students that has received extra federal funding for terrorism protection says growing anti-Semitism in Australia makes the funding necessary.
Jason Steinberg, president of Queensland’s Jewish Board of deputies, confirmed a small primary school college for Jewish students in Brisbane’s south-eastern suburbs was one of two Queensland schools which would receive money for terrorism security.
“We certainly welcome the announcement made today by the government, but we are waiting to hear more details from the federal government,” Mr Steinberg said.
He said a recent rise in anti-Semitic attacks overseas and in Sydney prompted the school to apply for the funding last year.
“And I think these are special circumstances which we find ourselves in,” he said.
“We would prefer we lived in a world where Jewish schools, Muslim schools and independent schools were not the target of terrorism and funding wasn’t needed, but we unfortunately do find ourselves in these times.”
Mr Steinberg said there were no current threats to the Queensland school.
“However a Jewish school in Toulouse in France was attacked by gunmen and there were a number of people killed there,” he said.
“And there have been other attacks closer to home, with Jewish kids on buses being verbally abused and hijacked in Sydney.
“So really the concern we have as a community is this rise in anti-Semitism.
“We wish this funding wasn’t needed, but it is necessary to ensure that kids can have an education in a safe environment.”
Read more
Source: Brisbane Times
