The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), Australia’s leading civil and human rights organisation fighting hatred in all its forms, has welcomed the decision by Svatopluk Strava, the owner of a Czech tourist bus that advertised Auschwitz as an attractive holiday destination, to remove the vehicle’s design on the bus’s exterior that showed pictures of inmates, a giant Star of David over the train tracks that led to the Nazi concentration camp, and the inscription “Arbeit Macht Frei”. According to reports, the tour bus also featured the slogans – “Come to Auschwitz- A journey through emotions”, “Let’s Go to Auschwitz”, “A Journey through Emotions”, and “Our Guides Speak Czech.” The bus was originally used as a film prop in a satirical film “The World According to Dalibor,” that examined the tourist industry that has been established around the former Nazi death camp. At first, the bus owner refused to remove the design claiming it would be too expensive
Dr. Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“We welcome the decision by the owner of the bus. This tasteless and offensive display, which crossed many red lines, demonstrated once again that the vulgarisation of the Shoah has hit rock bottom. It’s clear that when it comes to the Holocaust, nothing is off limits, and that there is no aspect or symbol of this incomprehensible tragedy that is not subject to abhorrent abuse and cheap trivialisation. The systematic extermination of six million Jews and millions of others should not be exploited, and the death camp of Auschwitz, where more than 1.1 million people were murdered, should never be promoted as an amusement park or entertainment. This disgraceful and insulting spectacle commodifies the Holocaust at the expense of its victims, survivors and their families, and we are glad that Mr Strava has shown some decency by removing the reprehensible images.”
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.