Blues mascot sacked after antisemitic walkout
AFL club Carlton’s mascot ‘Captain Carlton’ has been sacked after storming out of a young fan’s Bar Mitzvah celebration.
Captain Carlton and Navy Nana costumes
He walked out of the event when he realised that the Bar Mitzvah was donating funds for Israeli soldiers who had been injured in the Gaza conflict.
The Bar Mitzvah boy is a huge Carlton fan, and his parents wanted to surprise him with a special appearance by the club mascot.
The guests reportedly included senior club members and Jewish community leaders.
Carlton said in a statement, “The club is aware of a matter that occurred at a private event and has taken the appropriate steps to address it in a manner that aligns with our values and responsibilities as a club.”
“Carlton exists as a united, inclusive, and values-led club and are committed to fostering a respectful environment for all members of our community. The matter has now been closed out and resolved with all parties involved.”
When the man stormed out, witnesses say he made an antisemitic comment, allegedly saying, “I’m not doing this for f******* Zios (Zionists)”
Guests were shocked by the incident and the Carlton administration has been complimented for taking swift action. Anti-Defamation Commission Chair Dr Dvir Abramovich said the club’s response demonstrated that the club would not tolerate hate or prejudice.
Abramovich said, “The terrifying truth is that there is no safe space left. Not at synagogues, not in schools, not even in the joy of a family milestone. Wherever Jews gather, hatred finds a way to intrude in a loud, shameless, uninvited way.”
“This moment should shake every Australian because when a man in a mascot suit feels comfortable spitting on the word Zionist in a country built on tolerance and mateship, we should all be asking, ‘what kind of nation are we becoming?’”
It was only a few months ago that Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced a new anti-hate taskforce to combat antisemitism, following the growth in the frequency and aggressiveness of antisemitic incidents. The taskforce’s first meeting was in July, comprising representatives of local and state government, Victoria Police and the Victorian Jewish community.
Unpleasant and unfortunate but it is legitimate to ask why such a joyous event in a 13 year olds life was used to raise money for members of a foreign military engaged in conflict, turning a boys bar mitzvah into a political event. It is also questionable as to whether, it was in fact legal to do so. It all looks like nativity and poor judgement on the part of both sides to me.
Criticising Zionsim is not anti-semetism ! Anti-zionsim is anti genocide and anti-apartheid and it is not anti-Jew. This person is showing humanity in his action to not want to raise money for the IDF, who are guilty of genocide by the International criminal court. Imbramovich is a Zionist – unapologetically supporting apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide. Shame on the CArlton Football CLub and any of the supporters of this event. Finally i hope this person is taking their sacking to Fare Work as they say this was a private event and how shaemful the club sacked them, they should be celebrating their courage and bravery standing up against such appalling abuse of human rights as conducted by Israeli soldiers and the entire Israel Kessnett and the IDF!!!!!! AUstralia has an obligation under the Geneval Convention to oppose these actions/