NSW Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet was forced to comment on comments he made in 2017 denouncing the “hypocrisy” of Labor leaders for their involvement in an anti-Israel rally.
The comments have resurfaced after Mr Perrottet admitted at a press conference on Thursday that he wore a black Nazi uniform with the swastika on it for his uniform-themed 21st birthday party.
At a NSW Legislative Assembly in 2017, Mr Perrottet displayed photos of Member of Parliament Julia Finn and Legislative Councilor Shaoquett Moselmane at a pro-Palestinian rally to protest the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He claimed the protest “expressed anti-Semitic views,” with signs portraying Netanyahu as a Nazi and as Hitler.
The rally also featured placards with swastikas and Nazi soldiers which, according to Perrottet, showed the Labor leaders’ “lack of integrity”.
NSW Prime Minister 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 in 2017 (above)
The meeting was held during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s (above) controversial Australian visit
“I took pictures at the rally that depicted 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 on the list of terrorist organizations, 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 matters because it exposes Labour’s hypocrisy.’
He spoke broadly about racism in Australia, saying that the ‘best cure for racism and hate is to expose it so that it can be condemned by all’.
“Let me now expose the pattern of intolerance of Labor Party members toward our friend and ally, the State of Israel.”
Mr Perrottet said his statement was prompted by concerns from his constituents during Mr Netanyahu’s visit and called on then opposition leader Luke Foley to order Mr Moselmane and Ms Finn to apologise.
“This issue is important because it exposes Labour’s lack of integrity,” he told the Legislative Assembly.
Labor pours platitudes into its party platform, but has its MPs attend meetings that deliberately fan the flames of racial division.
“This issue is important because the Labor Party is always making good on these issues, but its members never practice what they preach.
“I call on Luke Foley and Labor to hold his MPs accountable and apologize for their behaviour.”
The offices of Ms. Finn and Mr. Moselmane declined to comment when approached by NCA NewsWire.
Shaoquett Moselmane (above) was summoned by Dominic Perrottet in 2017 to attend a rally depicting swastikas, Hitler and Nazi soldier
Julia Finn (above) was also charged with ‘lack of integrity’ after Mr Perrottet exposed her involvement in a 2017 anti-Israel rally.
Perrottet grilled about post-Nazi bomb incident
At his first press conference following the unveiling of the Nazi bomb on Friday morning, the Prime Minister was asked by a reporter if he thought he owed Ms Finn or Mr Moselmane an apology.
“I’ve always been very supportive of the Jewish community and as I said yesterday, I’m terribly sorry,” replied Mr Perrottet.
‘This is for me. This is a mistake I made and I am incredibly sorry for the hurt and pain that has occurred.”
Although he did not address the 2017 incident, Mr Perrottet repeated his apology when the journalist insisted.
“I apologize to anyone who was hurt by what I said yesterday and the actions I took years ago,” he said.
“I’m terribly sorry for that pain and I hope something good can come out of that horrible mistake I made years ago and hopefully it will lead to young people never making the same mistake I did.”
NSW Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet (above) faced backlash after admitting to wearing a Nazi uniform as a costume for his 21st birthday
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 that dressing up as a Nazi is no joke.”
“We appreciate that the Prime Minister personally reached out to the Jewish community this afternoon to express his deep and sincere regret over his poor choice of costume as a young man,” read a joint statement from the director of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, Darren Bark and Chairman David Ossip.
“The Prime Minister has been a staunch supporter and friend of the NSW Jewish community throughout his time in public life.
In particular, as treasurer, he ensured that the Sydney Jewish Museum received funding to ensure it could continue to educate the community about the Holocaust and the horrors of the Nazi era.
“The Prime Minister has acknowledged this and acknowledges that wearing the costume was offensive and will upset many in our community.”
Mr Perrottet also apologized via video for his ‘appalling mistake’ on social media.
“I am deeply ashamed to have done so and am truly sorry for the hurt, pain and fear this action will cause many people across NSW and particularly the Jewish community, Holocaust survivors, veterans and their families,” he said. .
“It was a serious mistake and something I am deeply ashamed of.”
