Jeroen Weimar apologises to Melbourne’s Jewish community for comments made in press conference

Victoria’s Covid boss Jeroen Weimar apologised to Melbourne’s Jewish community for his “poor choice of words” during a Covid update.

The state’s Covid boss has apologised to Melbourne’s Jewish community after drawing added attention to their faith during a daily press conference.

While detailing a mystery outbreak centred around the St Kilda area on Wednesday, Covid-19 commander Jeroen Weimar referred to the Orthodox Jewish community as a wide group of people who had been affected in the outbreak.

Mr Weimar referenced a sex worker, accountants, architects and a pizza shop employee and the Orthodox Jewish community as making up the cluster.

In a statement obtained by the Herald Sun, Mr Weimar said: “I am sorry for my poor choice of words (on Wednesday).”

“I was attempting to highlight the sheer diversity and range of people in the St Kilda area who were – through no fault of their own – Covid positive,” he added

“I am hugely disappointed that my words have been interpreted as a slight or criticism of the Orthodox Jewish community – this was absolutely not intended.

“I apologise to Melbourne’s Jewish community for the hurt and harm that my words have done.”

He added: “Anti-Semitism is a twisted dark knot in our vibrant Victorian community. It has no place in our society and only serves to divide and undermine us all.”

COVID-19 Response Commander Jeroen Weimar says he is “hugely disappointed” in how his choice of words were interpretated. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Geraghty

Mr Weimar also revealed his father was a teenage boy in The Hague during the Second World War, where he witnessed the “horrors of anti-Semitism and genocide” first hand.

“Not only did he lose his father (my grandfather) during these terrible years but it scarred, shaped and inspired him; and through him defined my upbringing,” he added.

Mr Weimar said the virus didn’t discriminate and had affected people of all communities, faiths, occupations, schools and workplaces.

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich said he “unreservedly” accepted Mr Weimar’s “heartfelt” apology.

“During our lengthy conversation today, Mr Weimar heard mine and the community’s concerns and immediately expressed his deep feelings of remorse, and we take him at his word when he says that he did not have any intent to cause hurt or offend,” Dr Abramovich said.

“While we understand that many people were upset with the choice of words used during the press conference, this is an important step in putting this issue to rest, and we now consider the matter closed.

“My hope is that Mr Weimar continues to use the platform that he has and his public voice to speak out against anti-semitism and bigotry and the ADC stands ready and willing to work with him.”