THE AUSTRALIAN
REBECCA URBAN
Anti-Semitic flyers describing Jews as the enemy of education, the family unit and human rights, have been distributed around Melbourne’s inner west, alarming a leading civil rights group.
The Anti-Defamation Commission has condemned the “contemptible an unsettling” flyer, expressing concerns that anti-Semites were “redoubling their efforts like never before”.
The one-page flyer, which was distributed anonymously around Footscray in the past 24 hours, appeared to blame Jews for everything from mass immigration and overpopulation to processed foods, even “making life harder so both parents are working, thus pushing children into childcare centres”.
“The Jews are the whole world’s enemy,” it said. “They are pure evil.”
Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich said the group condemned the “contemptible and unsettling” flyer that promoted “dangerous stereotypes, conspiracy theories and fear”.
“The repugnant charges made against Jews in this flyer attempt to drive a potentially dangerous wedge between communities and poses a threat to the values of inclusivity and respect that we cherish” Mr Abramovich said.
“We … hope that those who are promoting this bigoted campaign are exposed for spreading the virus of prejudice.”
Mr Abramovich says that the incident has been reported to police..
The Anti-Defamation Commission has been at the forefront of highlighting incidents of anti-Semitism. It was behind Port Phillip Council’s recent drafting of a historic motion condemning anti-Semitism. The motion, understood to be the first of its kind to be adopted by a local government, was in response to an incident late last year in which a councillor, who was Jewish, was presented at a meeting with a parcel containing 30 silver coins — an inflammatory and racially offensive act symbolising betrayal.