Queensland Nazi Memorabilia Auction This Weekend Draws Strong Criticism

Illustration of Nazi memorabilia. (Wikimedia Commons/Wolfmann)

JAKARTA - An auction of Nazi memorabilia, including clothes, patches, pins, and more was held at the Danielle Elizabeth auction house in Queensland, Australia, Saturday, August 14 local time.

Among the dozens of items up for auction is a World War II 'Jewish Star of David' armband which is listed as rare. The white armband features a blue Star of David, with the word ghetto written above it in black letters.

Also up for auction on this occasion are the Waffen SS Cap Emblem, a retired Nazi officer shoulder patch that is 'incredibly' embroidered, and an SS officer tunic. It is interesting because the Waffen SS was an elite unit of trust for the Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler.

Danielle Elizabeth is an Australian antique dealer and auctioneer. One of the first antique businesses in Stanley St. Brisbane was founded by the family of the company's owners, according to the company's website. Items sold by Danielle Elizabeth have been featured in a number of feature films, including Thor and Pirate of the Caribbean, according to the site.

"Seeking profit from the proceeds of the darkest crime in history is sickening," said Dr. Dvir Abramovich, Chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission, an Australian Human Rights organization citing The Jerusalem Post Friday 13 August.

Illustration of Nazi memorabilia. (Wikimedia Commons/Joe Mabel)

Abramovich has pushed to ban the sale of Nazi memorabilia in a national campaign.

"If Danielle Elizabeth had taken the time to think about the 1.5 million children killed by the Nazis, perhaps they would think twice about this trade in instruments of death. If Hitler were still alive today, he would credit Danielle Elizabeth for celebrating and glorifying the horrific acts of her regime," he said

"Imagine the legacy of death and suffering of that evil tyrant living on. Imagine the suffering Holocaust survivors must endure today. Whoever offers these cursed and bloodstained items tarnishes the memory of the victims and should be ashamed," he criticized.

To note, last year Abramovich also criticized the sale of tank jackets bearing the Nazi swastika and Waffen SS symbols, as well as Nazi army uniforms and helmets bearing the Nazi swastika and eagle emblem.