The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), Australia’s leading organisation fighting anti-Semitism and hatred in all its forms, has criticised American comedienne Sarah Silverman for her appearance on Conan O’Brien as Hitler. Dressed up with the Nazi regalia and the Führer’s trademark moustache, during the segment, Silverman, who greeted the audience with a ‘Heil’ salute, shared her views, as Hitler, about Donald Trump, “All these comparisons to Trump, it’s like, it bums me out, you know what I mean?. Sometimes I watch him and I’m like, ‘Is that how people see me?’ And I have to be honest, Trump, he’s starting to make me rethink some of the things I’ve done.” After a pause, Silverman added, “Ah, who am I kidding? I got to be me!”
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“The ADC has consistently spoken about the cheapening and debasing of the Holocaust for shock value. It’s clear that all bets are off when it comes to the Holocaust and that there is no aspect or symbol of this tragedy that is not subject to perverse abuse and trivialization. And this trend hit another low with Sarah Silverman’s appearance on Conan O’Brien. Just because Silverman is Jewish doesn’t give her the right to re-traumatize survivors and trample on their feelings. Silverman and O’Brien should have known that the horrors of the Holocaust must be approached with respect and sensitivity, and that there is nothing funny about a brutal dictator responsible for the extermination of six million Jews and millions of others. I am profoundly concerned that Hitler and the Holocaust are becoming increasingly associated with laughter and are no longer an oxymoron. What’s worse is people are not appalled, but enjoy such objectionable, tasteless skits, and are able to laugh about the indescribable horrors and about those who perpetrated them. Hitler should never become a gimmick, an opportunity to generate publicity, or a way to attack a political figure and their policies. We hope that in the future Silverman uses her powerful voice and popularity to remind people of Hitler’s crimes and to educate her fan base about the importance of meaningfully and respectfully memorializing the Holocaust and its universal lessons.”
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