March 13, 2016
Media Coverage:
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), Australia’s leading organisation combatting anti-Semitism and hatred in all its forms, has decried the availability of hundreds of Nazi memorabilia and paraphernalia items for sale at JB Military Antiques, billed as Western Australia’s largest military antiques store. Items include: German Nazi SA sports badge, Nazi flags, Nazi party and SA arms bands, Nazi Germany police sports eagle, Nazi daggers, Air Defence Honour decorations, Nazi and fascist youth scarves, Nazi Germany 25 year Faithful Service Cross, and Nazi Mother’s Cross, amongst many others.
The items can be viewed here:
https://www.jbmilitaryantiques.com.au/jbstore/search/nazi
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission, issued the following statement:
“This is wrong on so many counts and makes me sick. It is deplorable that seven decades after the unprecedented horrors of the Holocaust, there are businesses who are profiting from the symbols of pure evil and showing zero respect to the victims. I am aware that the lucrative and tawdry trade in Nazi memorabilia is a global, multi-million dollar industry, but selling items that glorify and promote genocide and racial intolerance is completely out of step with our country’s values of respect, inclusiveness and multiculturalism. I will continue to decry this ghoulish and macabre trade which is poisoning our society, and will keep sending the message that these hateful materials have no place in Australia. As we monitor the growing threat of extremist and white-supremacist organisations, we know that such groups have a penchant for Nazi relics, and we should rightly be concerned about who is purchasing these items and for what purpose. I would not be surprised if Neo-Nazis, Holocaust deniers and skinheads are acquiring such objects as a way to celebrate their vile ideology and to recruit new members. Clearly, there is a buoyant market for this disturbing and ghastly material, and it is our responsibility to confront it head-on and close the door on this revolting phenomenon that legitimizes Hitler’s brutal regime and makes the systematic murder of millions cool and attractive. I call on all dealers to take a hard look at themselves and start exercising their moral judgement by stopping the sale of these perverse articles. In addition, perhaps it’s time that the state and federal governments consider regulation and control of this reprehensible practice.”
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