Bathurst councillor podcasts unvaccinated to be the “Jews of the 21st century
A podcast hosted by a Bathurst councillor claimed that unvaccinated persons would become the “Jews of the 21st century.”
Darren Bark
In his “Alex Christian Show” also stated “the unvaccinated will “end up in a camp.” Subsequent statements were made that the unvaccinated will, at some point, be “rounded up and simply placed into these camps’… a COVID camp”.
CEO of The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies Darren Bark wrote to the general manager of the Bathurst Regional Council pointing out the August broadcasts were “extremely inappropriate and hurtful, and likely amount to an appropriation of Jewish persecution during the Holocaust. This gross trivialisation of the Holocaust diminishes the suffering experienced by victims and survivors. It also undermines the sacrifice of the 27,000 Australian servicemen and women who lost their lives fighting the Nazi regime.”
During episodes of the podcast dated 04 August and 18 August 2021, Mr Christian stated that unvaccinated persons would become the “Jews of the 21st Century,” and that the unvaccinated will “end up in a camp.” Subsequent statements were made that the unvaccinated will, at some point, be “rounded up and simply placed into these camps’… a COVID camp.”
He added: “The current Health Orders are in place to minimise serious illness and the loss of life. This is in stark contrast to the intent which underpinned the regime suffered by Jews and the millions of other people around the world during World War II.
It is alarming that such disgraceful comments were made by a local government representative, as well as a serving member of the NSW Police Force.
A councillor is expected to act in an ethical, and impartial manner and set an example for other members of the community. The comments made by Mr Christian are far from ethical and will likely be reiterated in subsequent episodes and could encourage further misappropriation of the lessons of the Holocaust by others.”
Darren Bark told J-Wire: “We have asked the General Manager of the Council to investigate Mr Christian’s conduct and ask that appropriate action be taken.
The pandemic has highlighted the need for the community to stand together to support each other through these difficult times. Invoking the suffering of the past causes more harm amongst a community that has already suffered enough due to COVID-19.”
He added: “The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies will combat and confront antisemitism across NSW no matter where it resides,” Mr Bark concluded.
