MEDIA RELEASE 15 November 2007

The B'nai B'rith Anti Defamation Commission (ADC) today stated that the sentence handed down by the Magistrate in the Menachem Vorchheimer case was “fair and balanced” under the circumstance.

Mr Vorchheimer was walking to synagogue with his two young children in October last year when he was racially abused and physically assaulted by a bus load of players from the Ocean Grove Football Club.

Magistrate Julian Fitzgerald today fined the Club captain and best and fairest winner, Mr James Dalton, $1000 for the charge of offensive behaviour. No conviction was recorded against Mr Dalton. A second player, Mr Mathew Cuthbert, was fined $750 and had a conviction recorded against him for the charge of using insulting words in a public place. 

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

“It seems that under the circumstances the ruling was fair and balanced. We acknowledge and commend the Magistrate for unequivocally condemning the attack and describing it appropriately; “criminal, hurtful, insensitive, ignorant, at its base racist and antisemitic”.

“The pressure should now be turned on the Ocean Grove Football Club to cooperate with Police in order that the perpetrator who violently assaulted Mr Vorchheimer is brought to justice without further delay. There were over twenty footballers present on that bus on that fateful day and someone within the Club has the relevant information. We therefore expect the Club to take all necessary action to ensure this information is presented to the authorities.

“We are not being vindictive nor are we seeking retribution. We are simply urging the Club to demonstrate accountability and demanding justice for Mr Vorchheimer, the Jewish community and for that matter the wider Australian community, who have overwhelmingly supported Mr Vorchheimer.”

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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