Man jailed for a year after endorsing neo-Nazi views and making antisemitic speech at Sydney rally on Australia Day | Australia Day

A man who lent his support to neo-Nazis and made anti-Semitic remarks to crowds at an Australia Day rally has been reprimanded and jailed for his offensive behaviour.

Brandan Koschel joined the anti-immigration march for Australia along with hundreds of others wandering through Sydney city centre.

The 34-year-old, who appeared on stage at the end of the march, was immediately arrested by the police after supporting neo-Nazi views.

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On Wednesday, he was sentenced to 12 months behind bars in Downing Center local court for deliberately inciting hatred.

Judge Sharon Freund criticized Koschel’s 40-second speech, in which he twice called Jews “the greatest enemy,” as blatantly antisemitic and a speech that denigrated a vulnerable community.

The judge said the offensive and disgusting language was followed by neo-Nazi symbolism.

The 34-year-old concluded his speech by “praising” white Australia and Thomas Sewell, leader of the now-defunct National Socialist Network, Australia’s most prominent neo-Nazi group.

He also called for the release of jailed neo-Nazi Joel Davis.

“He intended to incite hatred in the crowd he was addressing,” Freund said. “It was intended to incite hatred against the Jewish community and Jews in general.”

The judge said the Jewish community was particularly vulnerable after a rise in antisemitic attacks that culminated in the Bondi beach massacre in December, during which 15 people were killed during the Hanukkah celebration.

The mass murder occurred six weeks before Koschel appeared on the scene, the judge said.

The 34-year-old bowed his head and closed his eyes as he listened to Freund’s words from a cell at Shortland prison in the Hunter Valley.

The judge added that it was necessary to condemn such anti-Semitic statements made in a public forum on such an iconic national holiday.

“A clear punitive response is needed to indicate that the expression or normalization of hatred towards the Jewish people will not be tolerated,” he said.

The judge also noted that Koschel showed no remorse, remorse or insight into his crime. His sentence was reduced due to his early confession of guilt.

His nine-month non-parole period will end on October 25.