Auschwitz comment ‘taken out of context’
AN Australian journalist said his tweet, that “Auschwitz was bad – but the train ride there took in some lovely scenery”, has been taken out of context after he was slammed by a Jewish leader.
REBECCA DAVIS AND JOSHUA LEVI
AN Australian journalist said his tweet, that “Auschwitz was bad – but the train ride there took in some lovely scenery”, has been taken out of context after he was slammed by a Jewish leader.
Richard Cooke, who is the contributing editor of The Monthly magazine, exclusively told The AJN that the comment was made in response to an article that described race relations between Aboriginal Australians and colonisers as an affair “not marked by violence or bloodshed…a mixture of mutual curiosity and interest…an amicable start”, and questioned why Aboriginal Australians would object to the arrival of Europeans.
“The tweet is a condemnation of this obvious absurdity. It is not a reflection of my own beliefs, but a mockery of someone else’s,” Cooke said.
“It may be hyperbolic or misguided, but even out-of-context, its intended purpose and my own beliefs should be very clear.
“I would also invite anyone encountering my work for the first to look at some more of it, and not just at an isolated tweet underneath a shouty headline.”
Cooke said he has made considerable efforts, both personally and professionally, to stand against discrimination in general and anti-Semitism in particular.
“There are some people who hold especially painful memories, and to anyone that this tweet harmed or distressed, even inadvertently, I apologise unreservedly.”
Cooke said he was sacked from a previous job after he protested about anti-Semitism.
The Monthly’s publisher, and prominent Jewish businessman, Morry Schwartz defended Cooke, saying that “Richard is a tireless fighter against antisemitism, and it can’t be anything but bitter irony from him”.
Schwartz said the Tweet was taken out of context.
“I again assure you that there is no fiercer fighter against racism and antisemitism than Richard.”
Cooke was slammed by Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, who said the tweet was deeply insensitive, offensive and tasteless.
“If Mr Cooke thought this vulgar remark was funny or appropriate in this context, he was wrong on all counts, and it’s hard to believe he actually posted it,” Abramovich said.
“People are of course entitled to criticise reports about universities, identity and race. But there is nothing funny about the horrific and unfathomable crimes of the Holocaust, and the suffering of the victims should never be twisted so as to generate a punchline or to score a point.”
In response, Cooke said that he was “disappointed” that Abramovich didn’t contact him before speaking to the media.
“If he had, he might have a clearer understanding what’s happened here,” Cooke said.
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