Material linking to conspiracy theory website asserts that the field of Holocaust studies is ‘replete with nonsense’
Monash University Clayton campus (Donaldytong, Wikipedia)
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nti-Semitic pamphlets claiming that the Holocaust is a hoax have been distributed at several Australian universities
The leaflets turned up in Monash University, the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University, and the University of NSW according to a report by BuzzFeed News.
The paper, titled “The greatest swindle of all time,” contains quotes from long-time pro-Palestinian activist and controversial academic Norman Finkelstein, who is himself the son of Holocaust survivors.
The flyer quotes Finkelstein out of context to the effect that “Much of the literature on Hitler’s Final Solution is worthless as scholarship. Indeed, the field of Holocaust studies is replete with nonsense if not sheer fraud.”
The page ends with the line, “For the facts, gentlemen, not the Hollywood production,” and a website address with the hashtag #Holohoax.
Finkelstein does not dispute the historicity or extent of the Holocaust; rather, he criticizes the ostensible manners in which it is exploited for political and financial gain.
News of the fliers first emerged in February, at the start of the Australian academic year in Melbourne University. Since then thousands of copies have been distributed on other campuses.
According to the report, although the vice-chancellors of the universities have met with Jewish students and condemned the fliers, they do not wish to add fuel to the fire by directly calling the leaflets anti-Semitic.
In response, the national chair of the Australasian Union of Jewish Students, Michael Fisher, told BuzzFeed News: “Everyone has the right to feel safe and welcome on campus. Australian universities must vigorously tackle the surge in anti-Semitism, and identify and punish the groups which are disseminating this poison. It is vital that student bodies and university authorities work with Jewish groups to educate the student population on anti-Semitism and the destructive effects of racist hate speech.”
Similar leaflets were distributed in Scottish universities in April, the Glasgow Guardian reported at the time.
The Australian leaflets link to a conspiracy website, ChemtrailsGeelong. The website is registered in Sydney, but appears to be written by a resident of the city of Geelong, near Melbourne.
In addition to dozens of anti-Semitic citations and quotes from Holocaust deniers, the website accuses airlines of deliberately dumping harmful chemicals on an unsuspecting public through the trails left by high-flying aircraft. It also contains many pages of conspiracy theories, claiming that “ultra-sicko perpetrators” are using “physiological torture and harassment of targets” with sophisticated technology.
Originally Published HERE
