The ADC, Australia’s leading organisation fighting hatred in all its forms, has called on the WA Labor Party to expel Vikraman Selvaraja who is a member of the party for calling Dr Nick Dyrenfurth, Executive Director of the John Curtin Research Centre “a fucking Zionist” in response to an article penned by Dr Dyrenfurth on the federal budget. Dr Dreynfurth, who is Jewish, has served as a Labor branch secretary, ministerial advisor, said that as member of the party for 20 years, he was appalled by this “thinly veined attack.”
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“ We call on Mark McGowan not to only condemn Mr. Selvaraj’s indefensible and reprehensible slur but to take a strong stand against anti-Semitism by expelling him from the Labor Party. The expression “Zionist” has often been used as a code word for “Jew” and employed in a derogatory manner, as in this case, to demean and vilify Jews. This kind of frightening and dark rhetoric, drenched in prejudice, must not be covered up or tolerated in Australia. The disease of Jewish hatred afflicting the British Labour Party must not spread here, and we urge the Premier and Mr Shorten to send a forceful and unequivocal message that any manifestation of racism and anti-Semitism within their ranks is totally unacceptable, and will be met with serious disciplinary measures.”
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading organization fighting racism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272 5677.