The head of Foxtel, an Australian cable TV company mostly owned by News Corp, has apologized after a photo surfaced of him making a Nazi salute.
Patrick Delaney explained that the photo, taken about ten years ago, was his attempt to imitate a gesture made by fans of a Western Sydney soccer team. However, he admitted that performing the offensive salute was wrong, regardless of the context, as reported by the BBC.
The Jewish Council of Australia condemned Delaney’s actions, calling them “deeply concerning.” Sarah Schwartz, the council’s executive officer, expressed alarm that someone in the media industry thought such a gesture was acceptable.
She emphasized that the Nazi salute is a harmful symbol for not just Jews but other marginalized groups as well.
In his apology, Delaney stated that the photo does not reflect his values and expressed his deep remorse. He also reaffirmed his commitment to fighting antisemitism, referencing a letter he signed condemning the recent Hamas-led attacks on Israel, where over 1,200 people were killed, according to the BBC.
This controversy comes as Australia faces increasing incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia, fueled by tensions over the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
The Australian government has taken steps to address the issue by appointing special envoys to combat both antisemitism and Islamophobia.
At the same time, Foxtel, once popular in Australian homes, is struggling with the rise of cheaper streaming services, and News Corp is considering selling the company .
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj08mjmq107o