Media release
16 January 2023
Hate-fueled Nazi collectables were on blatant display for people to purchase at the Red Carpet Gold Coast Antiques and Collectables Fair in Coomera over the weekend.
It was promoted as “one of the best places for those who love to collect precious and unique antiques”, but what the organisers of the fair failed to mention was that it really was a great place to peddle, perpetuate and profit from the event that is well known as the most evil in history – the Holocaust.
The Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies (QJBD), the roof body of Queensland Jewry, was contacted by a Jewish resident who had visited the fair and was horrified and angered by the items for sale (see image below).
QJBD president Jason Steinberg said he was outraged and disgusted that individuals could both profit from the sale of horrific Nazi memorabilia glorifying the murder of 6 million Jews and 5 million others, and that it provided a space for racists to indulge in their hate-filled views.
“It’s hard to believe that in 2023 we can have a table full of Nazi memorabilia up for sale – it had everything from Nazi flags, books, bullets, uniform emblems and general items glorifying the Nazi regime,” Mr Steinberg said.
“Unbelievably, they were selling Nazi knives, which could very well have been used in the murder of innocent Jewish men, women and children.
“Other items such as a Nazi armband may seem like just a piece of red cloth, but people have to remember that it was worn by someone who was involved in the slaughter of Jews and others.
“For $40, Queenslanders could also buy cards featuring Hitler – an individual recognised as the most evil person in modern history – the man who was the architect of the brutal industrial-scale murder of 6 million Jews and 5 million disabled, LGBTI, Roma, Seventh Day Adventists and others who were seen as different.
“Why would anyone want to own such a card that unashamedly glorifies evil?” he said.
“It is outrageous that people are profiting from these vile items without impunity. Queenslanders need to know that our State is not immune from antisemitism, nor the rise of neo-Nazis. Fairs like this, which allow the sale of items and symbols that epitomise hate and murder only help to perpetuate these warped ideologies.
“These items should be in a museum or destroyed and the police need the powers to remove and confiscate hate paraphernalia so we can start to counter the proliferation of extremist ideologies.
“The Queensland Government is moving to introduce legislation to criminalise the public display of Nazi hate symbols and the Jewish community supports the speedy introduction of new laws.”
