Jewish leader labels Marty Sheargold’s on-air remark ‘deeply troubling’

Triple M breakfast host Marty Sheargold has been called out for “normalising anti-Semitic stereotypes” on air — and he’s being urged to apologise.

Marty Sheargold has been asked to apologise for a remark on his show. Picture: Supplied/Triple M

Triple M breakfast host Marty Sheargold has been called out for making an anti-Semitic remark on his show.

Sheargold was on Thursday in conversation with colleagues Loren Barry and Troy Ellis about how Easter and Passover cross over this year.

Barry said: “Easter can occur on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Easter’s exact date varies so much because it actually depends on the moon.

“Early Christians wanted Easter to coincide with Passover because Christ’s death and resurrection happened after the Jewish holiday. Because the Jewish calendar is tied to solar and lunar cycles the dates of Passover and Easter fluctuate each year.”

After a laugh over Barry’s pronounciation of fluctuate, Sheargold said: “And, of course, I should have known it would rely on what the Jewish people wanted.”

Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission, said he had received several complaints about the comment.

Dr Dvir Abramovich says Marty Sheargold’s remark is ‘deeply troubling’. Picture: Josie Hayden

“Really, Marty Sheargold, is that how low and nasty your comedy has sunk that you are now normalising anti-Semitic stereotypes on your show?,’’ Dr Abramovich said.

“At a time of a shocking spike in harassment, targeting and violence against Australian Jews, it is deeply troubling that Marty Sheargold used his platform to spew degrading and hateful myths about Jews having too much power and control. While we at the ADC value humour and understand that entertainers often push the envelope and boundaries, Marty Sheargold should have known better.”

Dr Abramovich called on Sheargold to apologise.

“Denigrating any group by implying that they are selfish and do not care about anyone else is never appropriate and not funny. That such a hurtful statement was made in a religious context is disturbing. Those in show business need to ensure that their on-air statements do not cross the line with hateful lines that call up ethnic slurs and which generate laughter at the expense of others.

“The bottom line: such jokes are out of line and I call on Mr Sheargold to apologise and reflect on his behaviour. I am also willing to meet with him to explain to him the history of antisemitism and how we all need to lock arms in combatting this scourge.”