The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), Australia’s leading civil and human rights organisation fighting anti-Semitism and hatred in all its forms, has called for the introduction of mandatory Holocaust education in all Australian schools after a student at St Philips College, Alice Springs, dressed as Hitler for a Book Week assembly and was recognised with an award as the best dressed.
Dr. Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“I am shocked by the level of ignorance shown by this sad episode. Clearly, this offensive and ill-judged incident is a timely wake call that we all have much work to do in ensuring that all students understands the evils of the Holocaust, and what Hitler represents, not only to the Jewish community, but to all the victims, the survivors and to those Australian soldiers who fought to defeat the Third Reich. This student, who displayed such disturbing insensitivity by choosing to dress up as Hitler, a brutal tyrant who symbolises unbridled hate and genocide, as well as the teachers in the school who did not object, and the teacher who awarded him the prize, must be taught about the results of Hitler’s demonic plan of extermination and the enormous suffering he caused. Parents should be asking themselves: where did this young man learn that it was OK to dress up as Hitler? As there are fewer survivors to bear witness to Nazi atrocities, we call on the Australian government to introduce mandatory Holocaust education at all schools so students learn the universal lessons of the Holocaust, become ambassadors for our country’s fundamental values and combat all forms of intolerance and racism.”
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.