By Daphne Anson
A few years ago a terrible insult to an Aboriginal footballer, Adam Goodes, quite rightly landed Aussie media mega-star Eddie McGuire in hot water.
Now, in a ridiculous beat-up abetted by the chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, who has done much sterling work in the past, especially in defending Israel from obloquy, but who is beginning to show a disquieting tendency to cry wolf too often, Eddie McGuire is being accused of antisemitism.
Regular viewers of the popular general knowledge quiz show Millionaire Hot Seat will know that a rather endearing larrikin humour from host McGuire is part of the show’s fabric, and no doubt of its appeal. Indeed, I’d be willing to bet that his presence in the show, where his easy rapport with the contestants and the audience is palpable, has won him a legion of fans who have never watched him in the Footie Show that made him a household name.
On Thursday’s episode of the Hot Seat contestant Serena Greenberg, who had said that if she won the $20,000 she was playing for she would like to treat her parents to a trip overseas, was asked by Eddie, in characteristic genial fashion: “Your Dad’s not Jewish, is he?” “Yes,” she replied. Joked Eddie, who’s of Scottish parentage himself: “So you have a Jewish father and a Scottish mother. I reckon it would have been hard getting pocket money from them!”
Just a throwaway line to lighten the mood, as is Eddie’s habit.
But it’s copped him a stern haranguing lecture from the chairman of the now oh-so-politically correct-and-censorious Anti-Defamation Commission, a sermon that may be apt in other contexts but which is inappropriate in this instance.
Unsurprisingly, this intervention has been condemned by many in the Jewish community, recognising Eddie McGuire’s remark for the lighthearted piece of banter it was. (And, yes, many Jews thought it was funny, and laughed!)
Also unsurprisingly, this intervention has been counterproductive, stirring examples of genuine antisemitism in online responses to it.
In order to win friends and influence people those who purport to speak for the Jewish community should have the wisdom to know what is trivial and what is serious, and when to speak out and when to stay silent.
Instances of genuine antisemitism merit unequivocal challenge and denunciation.
Eddie McGuire’s joke was not one of those instances.
The ADL and its chairman need to heed the salutary tale of the boy who called “wolf” too often.
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