MEDIA RELEASE 10 October 2007

The B'nai B'rith Anti Defamation Commission (ADC) deplores the antisemitic remarks allegedly made by senior Amcor officials in relation to that company's dealing with Visy.

It has been reported in The Age (9 October, 2007) that in a recorded phone conversation between Amcor’s former managing Director of Australasia operations, Peter Brown, and senior executive Jim Hodgson, both individuals were alleged to have made antisemitic comments.

Mr Hodgson allegedly said “And you wonder why, ah, Hitler wanted to stitch them up, too.” This can be reasonably interpreted as approval for the Holocaust which resulted in the extermination of 6 million Jews.

Mr Brown's alleged comment: “No wonder they [Jews] own half the world” perpetuates the antisemitic canard contained in the notorious Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion by outrageously exaggerating global Jewish power.

In a joint statement, ADC Chairman, Mr Michael Lipshutz and ADC Executive Officer, Mr Manny Waks, commented:

“We view with great concern these blatant, outrageous and bigoted antisemitic remarks from apparently educated and senior business executives. One would have hoped that in a free, liberal and multicultural Australia these views would no longer exist. 

“The crude antisemitic statements and the reference to the Middle East reflect not only a lack of moral values but a lack of understanding of the geo-political situation.  It can only be deplored that in these times where the Jewish community has been subject to increased antisemitic violence these racist views still abound.

“If the statements attributed to Messrs Hodgson & Brown are accurate then we call upon them to forthwith unequivocally apologise to the Australian Jewish Community and to make appropriate penance. We would also strongly encourage them to educate themselves about the issue of racism and the true nature of the Jewish community.  We further call upon Amcor, to unequivocally disassociate itself from these statements."

Ends.

The B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) is the human rights arm of B'nai B'rith Australia/New Zealand and is dedicated to combating antisemitism and all forms of racism.

The views expressed in this Media Release are that of the organisation alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the individual Council of Advisors.

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