AFL referred to anti-Semitism Royal Commission
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In a series of radio interviews on Saturday, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said he did not know what was in the transcript, prompting Paterson to say “excuses and deflections are not good enough”.
Later that day, Swans chairman Andrew Pridham and Pavlich apologized and took full responsibility for their club’s tribute to the victims of the Bondi terror attack.
The AFL was contacted for comment on Monday.
Rabbi Litzman said the tag made the Swans feel welcome in the Jewish community’s emergency medical response group.
“I want to thank the Swans for taking us in and making us feel really welcome and special. We had survivors there too. [at the game] “We had children there who were affected by this and some children who no longer had parents,” he said.
“Them [the Swans] They were extremely hospitable and very, very good to us and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts and it meant a lot to us and to everyone… they treated us like VIPs and it was great to have us in the dressing room after the game as well.
“We just raved about the Swans, so what they did was definitely above and beyond what we expected. They provided kosher food and literally went above and beyond.”
He deflected any questions about the specific wording of the script.
“I actually have nothing [to say] To be honest. “We are just praising the Swans, I don’t interfere with what is said or not said,” he said.
“We felt none of that that day. We felt so loved and welcomed and grateful for honoring the victims and survivors and first responders.”
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Speaking at a pre-match event ahead of the Swans’ win over the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night, Pridham said the Swans’ three-time best and fairest and former Brownlow medalist Gerard Healy had warned him about the neglect of the Jewish community.
“This was not intentional and we apologize for this oversight. This was a Sydney Swans initiative and a Swans-led event and we take full responsibility,” Pridham said.
“This commemoration was a genuine attempt to show compassion to all those affected by the terrible events of December 14, and most importantly, to the Jewish community.”
Pridham and the Swans were contacted for comment on Monday.
Paterson said the facts about the extortion must be revealed.
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“Deputy counsel should have the opportunity to review documents and cross-examine potential witnesses to establish the facts surrounding this serious incident,” he said.
“While the Sydney Swans chairman has apologized to the Jewish community, reports of AFL staff involvement in this incident should be examined closely as part of the commission’s investigations into the nature and prevalence of antisemitism in Australia.”
