Neo-nazi trolls stage vile stunt at Adelaide Holocaust Museum

Anti-hate campaigners say an abhorrent social media stunt shows Adelaide’s neo-nazi “contagion” is spiralling out of control.

A neo-nazi group has posted a photo of its members giving the “Fascist Salute” in front of the Adelaide Holocaust Museum, in what has been described as another “vile act of anti-Semitism”.

The nationalist and racist extremist group, shared the photo on their social media accounts this week, captioning the image: “Why a holocaust museum exists in Adelaide is anyone’s guess”.

Museum director Kathy Baykitch said it was “unthinkable” this kind of vile anti-Semitism was still around more than 80 years after the start of the World War II.

“Extremist groups are active and organising in online spaces.

“These disgusting acts of racist vandalism bring to the fore the critical importance of supporting the education of young people through our programs,” she said.

“Our museum and education programs stand as a counterpoint to hateful ideologies.”

Leading anti-hate campaigner Dr Dvir Abramovich said the “abhorrent act” was another example of white supremacist groups spreading their hate around Adelaide.

“This was not just a Heil Hitler salute – it is a frontal assault on our values, and when this type of cruel ugliness comes into full view, it reminds us that there are hardcore bigots in our midst,” said Dr Abramovich, the Anti-Defamation Commission chairman.

“The contagion of unvarnished, raw hate that is now defiling Adelaide has reached an ominous pitch fever and is spiralling out of control.”

Last month an anti-Semitic sticker was stuck to a sign at the front door of the museum in Wakefield St, calling for a ban of the museum with the symbol of the Star of David.

The museum said it had been the subject of several acts of racial vandalism despite only opening to the public in 2020.

The salute photo comes days after Jewish students at Adelaide University spoke out about rising anti-Semitic behaviour, after a student magazine article called for “death to Israel”. Ms Baykitch said the museum needed resources to boost security.