Percy Treyvaud Stadium: Anti-stadium supporter Dean Hurlston depicted as Adolf Hitler in video

A leading Jewish group has savagely condemned a Nazi-themed video targeting opponents of Stonnington’s proposed netball stadium.

A screenshot of a video mocking Dean Hurlston and other supporters against the Percy Treyvaud Stadium development.

The chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission has slammed those behind an “abhorrent” Nazi parody video targeting opponents of a proposed inner-city sports stadium.

Dvir Abramovich has joined growing anger about the Stonnington Votes 2020 video, which focused on the recent council elections and the long-running saga of the proposed $26.7 million stadium at Malvern East’s Percy Treyvaud Memorial Park.

The video, recently made unavailable for public viewing, was posted by a YouTube user and depicted Ratepayers Stonnington president and affected resident Dean Hurlston as Adolf Hitler.

It used footage from the movie Downfall, which has been used in parodies about other topics on YouTube.

“This is cruel and cynical politics at its worst and should be deplored,” Dr Abramovich said.

“Whatever one thinks of this local project, to weaponize Hitler, a brutal dictator responsible for the extermination of six million Jews and millions of others, in order to score a political point and beat down opponents crosses many red lines and is abhorrent.

“There is no place for such repugnant comparisons in our civil discourse.”

The council has also condemned those behind the video with mayor Kate Hely billing it as “hateful, disrespectful and poisonous.”

The YouTube user’s channel also contained an old promotional video for the council’s Prahran Square project, which featured its logo and commentary from former councillors.

“The video is not funny. It is not acceptable in Stonnington or anywhere,” Cr Hely said.

“We are appalled that the name of the City of Stonnington has been associated in any way with this attempt at humour.”

Cr Hely said officers did not believe the YouTube user was associated with the council but it would co-operate with any investigations, after Mr Hurlston referred the video to the council and police.

Councillors Alex Lew and Polly Morgan will push for a report to investigate options for a new location for the stadium at the council’s meeting on Monday, December 7.

They will ask a consultant to explore alternative sites including the East Malvern RSL sub-branch, Holmesglen Tafe and Chadstone shopping centre, or Caulfield Racecourse in partnership with neighbours Glen Eira Council.

The motion will also ask the council to suspend planning until a verdict is reached in its battle with nearby residents over covenants at the Malvern East park, which is before the Supreme Court.

The YouTube user was contacted for comment.