We reported last week that the Israel Broadcasting Authority barred Israel’s contestant in the international Eurovision music contest from wearing a dress by designer John Galliano. Now the ADL’s Abe Foxman says he’s "outraged" at the decision.
Galliano lost his job as the top designer at Christian Dior two years ago after being arrested for making anti-Semitic statements at a Paris bar. But, Foxman says, the disgraced celeb has worked to address his mistakes. [[READMORE]]
I am outraged and embarrassed that an entity representing Israel would reject Mr. Galliano. To reject someone who has now embraced Israel and the Jewish people is outrageous. This is not the lesson that you give your children. Rejecting someone who gave a sincere apology is not Jewish tradition. We are a people that forgive and this is not the way to overcome bigotry.
Mr. Galliano is a changed man. The Israel Broadcasting Authority must realize this. It is great to see that he is working with Israeli artists. He has continued to work hard in establishing relationships, and has shown us and the world that he is taking steps to understand and grow from his past mistakes. To continue to boycott him is not constructive.
Back in January, the ADL initially issued a statement saying Galliano had changed his ways. And then the group rejected claims by The New York Post that the designer was attempting to mock Hasidic Jews with his garb at Fashion Week.
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