Wiesenthal Center Condemns England Fans' Nazi Salutes and Antisemitic Chants at Football World Cup in Russia
Urges European Anti-Racism Coalition To Denounce Incident
"As your official partner, we propose that the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism (ECCAR) compile andmaintain a watch list of notorious racist bigots who hold municipal standing or platforms"
Paris, 25 July 2019
In a letter to Benedetto Zacchiroli, President of the 158-member municipalities of the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism(ECCAR) the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels, drew attention to thebehavior of Djamel Boumaaz, elected to the town council of Montpellier (Herault), reportedly on the National Rally (formerly FarRight National Front) ticket.
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According to the French National Bureau for Vigilance Against Antisemitism, Boumaaz has been fined in the past for his numerous“quenelles” - inverted Hitler salutes - an action banned by law in France. Furthermore, he had also been sanctioned for having torn down a “rainbow pride flag” hoisted by the MontpellierMunicipality on the International Day Against Homophobia.
According to the French National Bureau for Vigilance Against Antisemitism, Boumaaz has been fined in the past for his numerous“quenelles” - inverted Hitler salutes - an action banned by law in France. Furthermore, he had also been sanctioned for having torn down a “rainbow pride flag” hoisted by the MontpellierMunicipality on the International Day Against Homophobia.
Boumaaz performing a “quenelle” - inverted Hitler salute - in a session of the Montpellier Municipality Council
Samuels noted "his latest display of hate and antisemitism, published in the Herault Tribune - see tweet below - “I spent a beautiful day with my family, music, food in the home of my SS friend, then my birthday cake arrived, a gift from my SS friend...”
The cake is decorated with a swastika.
The Centre appealed to ECCAR, "to condemn Boumaaz and to urge the Mayor of Montpellier to take measures to remove him from hismunicipal functions." adding "as your official partner, we propose that ECCAR compile and maintain a watch list of notorious racist bigots, who hold municipal standing and platforms."
This letter was shared with Katharina Von Schnurbein, EuropeanCommission Coordinator on Combatting Antisemitism.
For further information, contact Shimon Samuels at +33 147 237 637, join the Center on Facebook, www.facebook.com/simonwiesenthalcenter, orfollow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent direct to your Twitter feed.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament(Parlatino).
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