Leaders of the Jewish community in Australia have expressed grave concerns about the possibility of the country walking unaware into a situation reminiscent of the Nazi regime. This comes after a video surfaced showing white supremacists conducting a camp at a beach in Melbourne.
The group, which included children, ran military-style drills on Elwood Beach in an exercise that caused anger and outrage.
“These losers came and did a workout in the park and then tried to play tough by putting up a racist symbol,” Labor MP Josh Burns told 9News.
Jacob Hersant, the man jailed last year for performing the now-illegal Nazi salute, was among the group, as was a male child.
They performed boxing drills before being joined by female supporters for a chat.
Dr. Dvir Abramovich, spokesperson for the Anti-Defamation Commission, strongly condemned the actions, stating, “These despicable individuals are attempting to establish a youth movement akin to Hitler’s regime right in the heart of Melbourne. This should alarm and unsettle every Australian citizen.”
The group’s actions were not illegal. There appeared to be no swastikas on display and no Nazi salutes being performed.
Even so, some Jewish leaders say the mere existence of the group itself should be outlawed.
In response to the disturbing incident, lawmaker Burns emphasized the need for stricter measures, saying, “We have implemented laws to ban the Nazi salute, and we should consider expanding the list of prohibited symbols to send a clear message that any attempt to raise such offensive emblems, like the flag displayed in our community, will not be tolerated.”
The state government was scathing.
“It’s a blatant, outrageous display publicly to gain attention,” Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said.
But Abramovich warns this could be more than that.
“If Australia doesn’t wake up to this ticking time bomb. We will wake up and realise that something terrible has happened,” he said.
