April 3, 2016
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC has called on Gumtree, Australia’s number one online classified website, to pull Nazi memorabilia that is being offered for sale from its site.
Items on the website include:
SS Nazi badges and SS ring reportedly signed by Himmler, genuine German WW2 Nazi Stampers, German Eagles, Waffen SS, and Panzer Divisions, Original Nazi German Swastika medal vase, Nazi police and fire helmet with the Nazi eagle and swastika, Nazi World War II badges and buckle, War Merit Cross with Swords-first class given to soldiers for exceptional service in battle, WW2 Nazi-German Knights Cross of the Iron Cross 1939, Silver Antique Hitler/Nazi Germany Locket, World War 2 Nazi Hitler coins, swastika stamps, Hitler Youth membership pins, Olympic Torch from the 1936 Olympic Games and a 1936 Olympic Games Statuette.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“Once again, I am deeply distressed and outraged by this stomach-churning phenomenon, as I’m sure are all survivors of the Holocaust, and those veterans who fought to end Hitler’s reign. Gumtree, which is owned by Ebay, is responsible for the items that are advertised on its site, and should not putt out the welcome mat for genocide and intolerance as represented by this Nazi paraphernalia. It’s appalling to think that Gumtree is benefitting financially from the peddling of this noxious material to millions of consumers, and must realise that Australians expect better. By making these hate items easily accessible, they are re-victimising all the innocent lives extinguished by Hitler’s evil acts.
We know very well that in the real world, anti-Semitic words and propaganda often result in anti-Semitic violence and deadly attacks.
There has to be shift in the corporate mindset that leads to the understanding that making a profit from blood money is wrong, and that companies do own the moral message of the products they offer. It is inexcusable for Gumtree Australia to help normalise this repulsive trade which promotes and celebrates the murderous anti-Semitic ideology of the Third Reich. I am sure that Neo-Nazis, racists and radical groups, who cannot hawk their nasty materials to traditional sellers, are delighted that this vile content, which glorifies white supremacist agenda, and which dehumanizes Jews, is available for purchase.
At a time of a dramatic rise in anti-Semitism and racism against ethnic minorities, to have such poisonous objects only helps to inflame the embers of discrimination and extremism. We urge Gumtree to act ethically by pulling these items from its shelves without delay, and to remain vigilant in ensuring that similar materials do not appear on its site again.”
The Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272 5677
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or visit our website at antidef.org.au