Australian Jewish leaders slam Sky News interview with far-right racist

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry criticizes Sky News Australia’s news director for the station’s green-lighting an interview with a far-right racist who once advocated for the display of images of Hitler in schools.

Blair Cottrell, the former leader of anti-immigration group United Patriots Front, was interviewed by former chief minister of the Northern territory Adam Giles.

Cottrell was convicted last year of inciting contempt against Muslims after staging a mock beheading to protest against the building of a mosque.

Many members of the Australian media criticized the station, including members of its own news team, resulting in a tweet being posted by news director Greg Byrnes that said Cottrell‘s appearance was “wrong.” He announced the interview was removed from repeat time slots and online platforms.

Co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Peter Wertheim, tells JTA: “Aussie Diggers who fought and died to stop Hitler’s tyranny would be turning over in their graves at Cottrell’s grovelling admiration of their enemy, and at the mainstreaming of Cottrell’s prejudices by his appearance on Sky. Sky has debased its brand by giving Cottrell its platform to spout his bigotry. Sky’s News Director Greg Byrnes was right to acknowledge that Cottrell should not have appeared on Sky, but Byrnes should have gone on to make a full and unreserved apology.”

— JTA