11 January 2008
Nazi memorabilia have been discovered in stores in Australia, Australian newspapers report. Jewish shoppers last week complained to the New South Wales (NSW) Jewish Board of Deputies, the umbrella organization of the 40,000-strong Jewish community in the Australian state, that two outlets were selling Nazi paraphernalia. “The swastika is a symbol of the worst racial genocide in history,” Vic Alhadeff of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies told the ’Australian Associated Press’ news agency. He added: “Nazism remains the ultimate in racial hatred, and that is obviously of concern to all Australians.” The sale of Nazi propaganda is not illegal in Australia.
Alhadeff told the newspaper ‘The Age’ that the two stores were openly displaying the material, with the proprietor of the one, the ‘BP Legends Cafe’ defending his right to sell Nazi flags and other memorabilia. "I actually spoke to the proprietor of the BP Legends Cafe myself, and he acknowledged that he has actually been selling it for some time, and he defended his right to sell it. I pointed out that it sends a very unfortunate and dangerous message for people to be openly displaying Nazi insignia, given what the Nazis stood for and given that Australia fought against the Nazis. He replied that he has to cater for the public and also sells Japanese flags and didn't see any difference."
