Dominic Perrottet addresses comments about Labor MPs part in anti-Israel rally after Nazi scandal
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New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet was forced to address comments he made in 2017 calling Labor leaders “hypocrisy” over their participation in an anti-Israel rally.
The comments have resurfaced after Perrottet admitted he wore a black swastika-emblazoned Nazi uniform to his uniform-themed 21st birthday party during a news conference on Thursday.
During a NSW Legislative Assembly in 2017, Perrottet displayed photos of Julia Finn MP and Legislative Councilor Shaoquett Moselmane at a pro-Palestinian rally protesting the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He claimed that the protest “expressed anti-Semitic views”, with banners depicting Netanyahu as a Nazi and as Hitler.
The demonstration also featured banners with swastikas and Nazi soldiers which Perrottet said demonstrated the “lack of integrity” of Labor leaders.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet was forced to address comments he made about the “lack of integrity” of two Labor leaders after they attended an anti-Israel rally (above) in 2017
The demonstration took place during the controversial visit to Australia by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (above).
“I have photos taken at the rally that show the Israeli prime minister as a fascist, a Nazi and as Hitler posing in front of a swastika,” Perrottet said at the time.
“These images would be incredibly hurtful to the Jewish community given their history. Hezbollah is a listed terrorist organization, but its flag was also on display.
“I think we can all agree that this is not the kind of Australia we want. This issue is important because it exposes Labour’s hypocrisy.’
Speaking widely about racism in Australia, he said that “the best cure for racism and hate is to expose it so everyone can condemn it.”
‘Allow me now to expose the pattern of intolerance that members of the Labor Party engage in with regard to our friend and ally, the state of Israel.’
Perrottet said his statement was prompted by concerns raised by his constituents during Netanyahu’s visit and called on then-opposition leader Luke Foley to order Moselmane and Finn to apologize.
“This issue is important because it exposes Labour’s lack of integrity,” he told the Legislative Assembly.
“Labor articulates platitudes on their party platform, but allows their members of parliament to attend rallies that deliberately fan the flames of racial division.
“This issue is important because the Labor Party continually gives signs of virtue on these issues, but its members never practice what they preach.
“I call on Luke Foley and the Labor Party to hold their members of parliament to account and make them apologize immediately for their conduct.”
The offices of Ms. Finn and Mr. Moselmane declined to comment when approached by NCA NewsWire.
Shaoquett Moselmane (above) was criticized by Dominic Perrottet in 2017 for attending a rally that featured images of swastikas, Hitler and a Nazi soldier.
Julia Finn (above) was also accused of having a “lack of integrity” after Perrottet exposed her involvement in an anti-Israel demonstration in 2017.
Perrottet questioned about the incident after the Nazi bombing
During his first press conference after revealing the Nazi bomb on Friday morning, the prime minister was asked by a reporter if he thought he owed either Ms Finn or Mr Moselmane an apology.
“I have always been a strong supporter of the Jewish community and as I said yesterday I am very sorry,” Perrottet replied.
‘This is about me. This is a mistake I made and I am so sorry for the damage and pain that has occurred.”
While he did not address the 2017 incident, Perrottet reiterated his apologies when pressed by the journalist.
“I apologize to anyone who was hurt by what I said yesterday and the actions I took those years ago,” he said.
“I am very sorry for that pain and I hope that something good can come out of that terrible mistake that I made years ago, and I hope that it leads young people to never make the same mistake that I made.”
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet (above) faced backlash after admitting he wore a Nazi uniform as a costume for his 21st birthday.
The Jewish community responds
Since Mr Perrottet’s emotional mea culpa, Jewish community groups have acknowledged the prime minister’s apology, hoping this incident will serve as a lesson that Nazi symbolism “should not be taken lightly and dressed as Nazi is not a joke.”
“We are grateful that the prime minister personally reached out to the Jewish community this afternoon to express his deep and heartfelt regret for his poor choice of clothing as a young man,” read a joint statement from the executive director of the Jewish Board of Deputies of New South Wales, Darren Bark and Chairman David Osip.
“The Prime Minister has been a staunch supporter and friend of the New South Wales Jewish community throughout his time in public life.
In particular, as treasurer, he ensured that the Sydney Jewish Museum received funding to ensure that it could continue to educate the community about the Holocaust and the horrors of the Nazi era.
“The Prime Minister has recognized this, acknowledging that wearing the costume was offensive and will distress many in our community.”
Perrottet also issued a video apology for his “terrible mistake” on social media.
“I am deeply ashamed of the fact that I did so and I am truly sorry for the harm, pain and anguish that this action will cause to many people in New South Wales and in particular to the Jewish community, Holocaust survivors, veterans and their families,” he said. .
“It was a serious mistake and something I am deeply ashamed of.”