ADC responds to cricketers' recent antisemitic vitriol

MEDIA RELEASE 10 August 2007

The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) has hosted an educational session for one of the perpetrators of the blatant and vitriolic antisemitic statements published on Facebook, targeting mainly the Maccabi AJAX Cricket Club.

Alex Strauch, a member of the Beaumaris Cricket Club, wrote on Facebook that ‘being of German heritage, I think I need to apologise for ACC (AJAX Cricket Club) to still be in  existence, my grandparents tried to get them all…but its easier said than done when they are walking around in sewers trying to find change…’.

As the racist antisemitic material was published during work hours from Mr Strauch’s office, and due to the fact that he had breached his company’s code of conduct, the ADC contacted his employers to initiate an appropriate response. To his credit, the head of Mr Strauch’s company wholeheartedly supported the ADC’s recommendations, which included an educational session at ADC headquarters and a visit to the Holocaust Museum.

The ADC considers that the purpose of today’s events was to educate the perpetrator about issues relating to antisemitism. There was a focus on his actions and its impact. Mr Strauch was educated as to the worrying global trend of antisemitism, which has been on the rise in recent years, including in Australia. Mr Strauch’s visit to the Holocaust Museum was not only a history lesson but also graphically demonstrated an extreme form of racism and antisemitism.

At this opportunity the ADC calls upon the cricket clubs of all players involved to combine both a disciplinary and educational approach once their investigations have concluded. It is of importance that there never be a repetition of this incident and accordingly all players involved need to not only appreciate that their actions were racist but further need to learn of the impact of racism on a free and multicultural Australia.

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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