Michael Danby – “foreign agent”
Following the publication of Federal Labor member Michael Danby’s ads criticising the ABC for its Middle East reportage, tweeters have surfaced calling the veteran politician a “foreign agent”.
Answering the tweeters the Chairman of the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission Dvir Abramovich told J-Wire: “There are certain lines that should not be crossed even in passionate political discourse, and these outrageous and beyond inappropriate posts have no place in our society.
The deeply troubling charges of dual loyalty levelled against Michael Danby that question his allegiance to the nation and label him a “foreign agent”, play into classic antisemitic stereotypes that have often been used to vilify and demonise Jews.
This is the stuff of the “Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion” dressed up in new language and recycled for contemporary audiences.
While legitimate and reasoned criticisms can be made about the conduct of our elected officials, impugning anyone’s loyalty is an ugly, divisive and hurtful slur that must be roundly rejected. Such highly irresponsible comments are contrary to the values of mutual respect that are fundamental to the Australian spirit and will only mainstream intolerance. We call on those who engaged in such offensive rhetoric to offer a public apology and to pledge to maintain high standards of civil debate.
The antisemitic tweets spewed as a response to these initial assertions demonstrate how quickly people can descend into hurling toxic and hateful smears when given the springboard.”
This tweet was liked by Steph Hodgins-May who was narrowly beaten by Michael Danby at the last general federal election polling for the Greens.
Mike Carlton’s tweet with comment from Bernard Keane
When the tide changes these ignoramuses will
Be the first in line to need Danby’s help with
Something!
Double standards and complete anti-semites!
Small minded and extremely blinkered…