Jumping Castle has been criticized for “heinous” action following the Jewish school’s request
An Australian business owner has come under fire after publicly rejecting an application from a Jewish high school to rent a bouncy castle, in what critics described as a “shocking act of discrimination against innocent children”.
Western Sydney Jump, run by its founder Tanya Issa, allegedly refused to do business with St Ives Masada College – located on the city’s Upper North Shore – because of its Jewish heritage.
In an Instagram post, which was shared by the Australian Jewish Association (AJA), Issa uploaded a screenshot of an email she received from the school asking for the loan of a jumping castle. Alongside this, she shared her defiant response: “It is impossible for me to receive Zionist detention.”
“I don’t want your blood money. Palestine is free,” Issa wrote in a story she posted on her company’s Instagram page, adding: “I have owned my business for 10 years. I have the right to refuse any booking at any time.”
The Jewish community criticized the Sydney employer’s action
The Sydney woman’s action comes amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has now entered its sixth week since the armed organization’s surprise attack on Israel on October 7, which left about 1,200 people dead.
Israel’s response reportedly led to the deaths of more than 11,000 Palestinians – the majority of them civilians, including more than 4,000 children – and the injury of around 30,000 others. An estimated 1.5 million Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza.
Speaking to Yahoo News, Australian Jewish Association (AJA) president Dave Adler encouraged the bouncy castle owner to seek legal advice in the wake of her decision.
“The Australian Jewish Association unreservedly condemns this anti-Semitic discrimination against the Jewish school. There is no place for this ugly racism, which is inconsistent with Australian values,” Adler said.
“There are laws against discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity or religion at federal and state levels in NSW. We encourage the school to use these laws because there must be appropriate consequences.”
He added: “We have witnessed a significant and widespread rise in anti-Semitism” in Australia since “the barbaric terrorism carried out by Hamas in Israel on October 7”.
“There were also dozens of threats, often referred to police, and some physical attacks. We need our political leadership and all good Australians to help us combat and combat any anti-Semitism,” he said.
Yahoo News Australia has contacted Jumping Castle for comment.
Prime Minister claims saga ‘is not in line with the values of multiculturalism’
Commenting on the matter, New South Wales Premier Chris Means described the ordeal as “outrageous”.
“It is not in keeping with any part of our multicultural society. I absolutely condemn it. This matter should be investigated by federal and state authorities,” the Daily Telegraph reported.
Bradfield MP Paul Fletcher, whose electorate covers St Ives School, also revealed his “disappointment” in his employer’s decision.
“I’m very disappointed in the way this company responded,” he said. “Masada College is a wonderful school that contributes greatly to my local community. Racism has no place in our country.”
The Western Sydney Jump’s Instagram page was taken offline on Tuesday afternoon.
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