Students have been told Gazans “deserved what they got” and a Sydney teacher was “forced out [of] his job” for wearing a traditional scarf in what researchers say are increasing instances of anti-Palestinian racism in schools across Australia.

The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) released its first national register report on Friday to examine “the climate of fear, censorship, intimidation and punishment” experienced by students, teachers and members of the school community.

The report analysed the testimonies of 84 respondents over a four-month period between March and July 2024, including witness accounts and lived experiences from the Palestinian diaspora and allies.

It captured tensions in Australia in the months after October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched its attack on Israel, prompting retaliation that escalated into war.

Families reported students were experiencing racial violence that went ignored by educators, including a Year 2 Victorian child told by a Jewish student they “can’t wait to help the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) go kill Palestinians”, and another Palestinian student “physically attacked” after speaking Arabic.

According to the report, a Palestinian teacher was also banned by a principal from wearing her grandmother’s keffiyeh after a complaint, a primary school teacher was called a “terrorist” for also wearing the cultural scarf, and a casual staff member said their shifts were cut after donning a pro-Palestinian badge.

Jesus Christ.