THE HERALD SUN
JORDY ATKINSON, PORT PHILLIP LEADER
A TASTELESS publicity stunt aimed at discrediting a Jewish councillor has backfired, as a stoush over Port Phillip’s mayoral election turned nasty.
Cr Dick Gross was visibly shaken after someone from the gallery, understood to be a member of the Greens, left 30 pieces of silver on his desk during Wednesday night’s council meeting.
It came after posts on Greens’ Facebook pages claimed Labor and Liberal-affiliated councillors had teamed up to block Cr Katherine Copsey’s bid for the mayoral position.
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The 30 silver coins represents Judas’ betrayal of Jesus which ultimately led to Christ’s death.
And the “pernicious and malicious ploy” has been slammed by Australia’s leading anti-defamation group.
Dvir Abramovich, chairman of the Caulfield-based Anti-Defamation Commission, told the Leader the gesture was a “foundation stone of anti-Semitism”.
“This age-old blood-libel, which has a dark and violent history, has now chillingly resurfaced in the chambers of Port Phillip Council,” he said.
“(Judas) has come to represent the supposed deviousness of the money-grabbing Jew and the Nazis exploited this satanic stereotype in their propaganda, resulting in the extermination of millions.
“Now this grotesque lie has been used in an ugly attempt to smear a Jewish councillor as treacherous, as someone who will set out his peer to the highest bidder for his ill-gotten needs.”
Dr Abramovich called for the Greens councillors and the Mayor to “forcefully condemn” the hurtful stunt.
Cr Voss said it was “unacceptable” behaviour.
“As Mayor and chair of our council meetings, I condemn this type of childish and disrespectful behaviour towards me or any of my fellow councillors,” she said.