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A planned student strike in Melbourne to support Palestinians next week has drawn swift criticism from state and federal opposition MPs who argue students should not be used as \u201cpolitical pawns\u201d in the Israel-Gaza conflict.<\/p>\n
Free Palestine Melbourne posted details of the student walkout, organised by School Students For Palestine, on the group\u2019s social media feeds on Monday afternoon, prompting a statement from federal Education Minister Jason Clare that children should be in class during school hours.<\/p>\n
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Free Palestine Melbourne posted details of a student strike for Palestine planned for next week.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Facebook<\/cite><\/p>\n The group said the walkout would begin at 12.30pm \u2013 school lunchtime \u2013 on Thursday, November 23, followed by a protest in the CBD at 1.30pm.<\/p>\n One of the students involved in the event told The Age<\/em> via email that groups of student activists were promoting the strike in a number of inner-city schools, including Princes Hill, Fitzroy High, Brunswick Secondary and Thornbury High. She said students from across the state had also registered interest.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been inspired by school walkouts in the US and UK, and we want to make our voices heard. It\u2019s important to show that there are millions who stand with Palestine,\u201d the student said.<\/p>\n \u201cNot all school principals have been happy to see us organising a walkout, but we\u2019ve been getting some pretty incredible support from teachers and parents.\u201d<\/p>\n Victorian shadow minister for education Jess Wilson and federal shadow education minister Sarah Henderson urged state and federal governments to make it clear to schools and students that attendance at the rally would not be an approved absence, and asked them to condemn the event.<\/p>\n \u201cStudents should not be used as political pawns by any group,\u201d Henderson said.<\/p>\n \u201cOur kids need to be in school. This protest is not only completely unacceptable, but risks heightening antisemitic behaviour across communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Wilson said Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan must instruct schools that \u201cthis is not an approved nor endorsed reason for student absence\u201d.<\/p>\n