The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), Australia’s leading organisation fighting hatred in all its forms, has decried the defacing of campaign billboards in the seat of Dunkley with Nazi symbols and slogans. The billboard of Chris Crewther and Bruce Billson were scrawled with the with the words “arbeit macht frei” (“Work makes you free”) and “Der Ewige Muselman” (“The eternal Mussulman”) referring to the emaciated, starving Nazi death camp inmates.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“I am deeply troubled by this repugnant and malicious act of bigotry which is an attack on democracy and on the decency of all Australians. The term Mussulman and the infamous Nazi phrase “Work makes you free” that appeared in Auschwitz and other death camps to taunt and dehumanize prisoners, are universal symbols of pure evil and genocide, and such cowardly vandalism is meant to intimidate and instil fear within religious, ethnic and cultural groups. This type of hate, which is a gross violation of our values, has no place in Australia and runs counter to our country’s fundamental principles of acceptance and respect. Whenever such cowardly and despicable incidents happen, there is a chilling emotional damage to community members, especially to people of the Jewish faith who were affected by the Holocaust. This is a sad and chilling reminder of the lengths some will go to express their prejudice, and a timely wake-up call that and that we have much work to do in countering this kind of abhorrent racism. The ADC stands firmly with Chris Crewther and Bruce Billson and calls on community leaders across the political and religious spectrum to express their outrage at these vile acts of intolerance. We must all say enough, and do all we can to combat racism and promote inclusiveness.”
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