Holocaust deniers “disgusting monsters”
A report that Holocaust denier Dr Fredrick Toben had been invited by a NSW Greens MP to join a Sydney Harbour cruise to raise funds for Gaza has met with damning disapproval by Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham…and apologies from Greens Senate candidate Cate Faehrmann.
Fredrick Toben
David Shoebridge
The Australian newspaper reported that Greens MP David Shoebridge had invited Adelaide-based Toben to join the cruise…but Shoebridge withdrew the invitation when he became aware of Toben’s background.
Toben, who has served time in prison in Germany for denying the Holocaust and in Australia for contempt of court by refusing to withdraw content from his Adelaide Institute web site, accepted the invitation and according to the Australian is demanding a refund of his air fare following the decision to rescind his invitation to last month’s cruise.
In a statement to the NSW Parliament today Davide Shoebridge said: “There was a story in the Australian today that referred to my decision to refuse permission to Holocaust denier Frederick Toben to attend an event I organised to support Palestinian rights.
As I said on ABC radio this morning “Probably the most offensive view you can have in relation to the issue of Israel and Palestine is to be a Holocaust denier.”
A broadcast email was inadvertently sent to Toben about the event from my office. He was put onto a distribution list by a staff member who was unaware of who Toben was.
As soon as we became aware of who we were dealing with we immediately withdrew the invitation and black-listed him from further communication. Toben’s offensive views on the Holocaust are completely incompatible with any engagement with this office.
The Australian chose to not print the fact that we made it very clear to Mr Toben that he was not welcome specifically because he is a Holocaust denier.
I, the Greens, and everyone in my office strongly condemn antisemitism and Holocaust denial. This is a position I have repeatedly, and publicly, stated.”
Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham told J-Wire: “Holocaust deniers are disgusting monsters, peddling evil lies. The Greens believe there is no place for any association with, and condemn all forms of antisemitism.”
He added; “Everyone working for peace and justice in the Middle East must be mindful that their cause is not hijacked by those who are motivated by hatred.”
Jeremy Buckingham signed the London Declaration against antisemitism on 23 May this year.
Shoebridge is reported in the Australian as saying “There was never any intention to invite Mr Toben to the event”. He said the invitation was sent inadvertently through an automated process.
Former Greens MP and lead Senate candidate Cate Faehrmann told J-Wire: “I was in shock when I learned of this. Frederick Toben’s views runs counter to everything we stand for as a Party – peace, tolerance and acceptance. At the very least, it was appropriate that the invitation was rescinded, however Mr Toben should never have been invited in the first place.
Mr. Shoebridge might now be toeing the politically correct line, but the view of his staff who invited Toben is out there for the world to see.
If the Greens stand for peace tolerance and acceptance, then why are they such strong supporters of the most racist, bigoted, and bloodthirsty culture on the face of the earth i.e. Palestinian culture.
You are also in denial about the genocide of Australian Aboriginals. That is happening now. Why do you not come to their aid?
Mr Shoebridge must employ the best employment technique when sellecting his staff.
I wonder who else was on that list; O.B Laden Esq. and so on……….Shoebridge should check his own invites to his own does if what he does is so personalised or maybe he was too busy at the time editing a speech for a palestinian BDS rally. So much on his plate, careful you dont choke with doing so much stuff you have no idea how to chew let alone digest……….