Independent ACT Senate candidate, Kim Rubenstein was last night alerted to some of her ‘Kim for Canberra’ coflute campaign signs being defaced with two printed pieces of paper attached with anti-Semitic slurs.
In a statement, Professor Kim Rubenstein said “one read ‘Vote 1 Kosher Kim’ with two yellow stars, and another read ‘Shoah Your Support’. This was hurtful to see, of course. For those unaware, ‘Shoah’ is the Hebrew word for the Holocaust, and Jews were forced to wear yellow stars in Germany under the Nazis”.
“I’ve got a pretty thick skin and was warned this could happen,” she said, adding it’s “a reminder that we must be vigilant against any behaviour that seeks to vilify people for their religion, race, ethnicity, gender or sexuality”.
“I will always defend freedom of speech and people’s right to their own opinion. But free speech can’t be a free pass for hatred. And with that freedom comes a responsibility to do so peacefully and respectfully,” Professor Rubenstein said.
“We can disagree without harming or belittling each other, and we can have our say without racist, bigoted attacks.
“We should also be able to make our points without resorting to misinformation and misleading political advertising – something we’ve seen far too much of already this election campaign.
“Our multicultural democracy is only as strong as its defenders – its citizens. It is precious, but it is also fragile – and we should never take it for granted. I’ll be out campaigning again today, fighting for unity over division – and hope over fear,” she said.
Greens candidate for Canberra, Tim Hollo, who is Jewish and the grandchild of Holocaust survivors, said “we should be appalled but should not pretend to be surprised by the disgusting anti-Semitic defacing of Kim Rubenstein’s signs”.
“Racism has always infested our politics, of course, but in recent years the dog whistle has turned into a yell,” he said.
“When white supremacist slurs are used in parliament and hatred becomes an expected part of the discourse, we can’t be surprised that people feel empowered to do things like this.
“I know how much this hurts, and my heart goes out to Kim and her family, the whole Jewish community, and all others in our beautiful diverse community whose lives are darkened by racism,” Mr Hollo said.
“None of us is safe until we are all safe.”
ACT Policing advised while they received a report yesterday, 1 May, about the defacing of an ACT Senate candidate’s election advertising material, the complainant did not request for an investigation to occur.
A spokesperson for ACT Policing encouraged anyone who witnesses the defacing of election material to contact them on 131 444.
“Racial vilification is a crime and unacceptable in our community,” the spokesperson said.
“The ACT’s laws send a very clear message that such behaviour is not tolerated. Section 750 of the Criminal Code 2002 deals with Serious Vilification and those found guilty of the offence face fines of up to $8,000.
“The AFP (including ACT Policing) continues to collaborate with candidates and the community to support a safe and secure 2022 Federal Election for all Parliamentarians and candidates.”
