Australian police seize Trump and Netanyahu Nazi posters under new hate symbol laws

Australian police have seized posters depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other world leaders in Nazi uniforms, declaring a Canberra bar a crime scene under newly enacted hate symbol laws introduced after an antisemitic terror attack.

Officers from Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Policing shut the Dissent Cafe and Bar for around two hours on Wednesday after receiving a complaint about the posters, which were displayed in the venue’s front window.

The police operation came during British-Israeli former hostage Emily Damari’s visit to Australia.

The five posters, created by the art collective Grow Up Art, portrayed Netanyahu alongside US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tesla owner Elon Musk wearing Nazi uniforms.

David Howe, the venue’s owner, said police told him the premises had been declared a crime scene after he refused to remove the artwork while enquiries were ongoing.

“It was a crime scene – that was their words,” Howe said.

“I was quite shocked that a work of art is considered worthy of this sort of police attention, particularly given the subject matter.”

Howe said the closure forced the cancellation of a scheduled performance by an interstate band.

In a statement, ACT Policing confirmed officers attended the venue following a complaint and warned the posters could fall foul of new Commonwealth hate symbol legislation.

“The owner declined this request, and so a crime scene was established,” the police said.

“Five posters were subsequently seized and will be considered under recently enacted Commonwealth legislation regarding hate symbols.

“Enquiries in relation to the posters are continuing, including seeking formal advice on their legality.

“ACT Policing remains committed to ensuring that alleged antisemitic, racist and hate incidents are addressed promptly and thoroughly and when possible criminality is identified, ACT Policing will not hesitate to take appropriate action.”

The case is understood to be the first investigation of its kind in the ACT since new hate symbol laws were passed following the Bondi Beach antisemitic terror attack. The legislation makes the public display of banned symbols, including Nazi imagery, a criminal offence, with exemptions for “religious, academic, educational, artistic, literary, scientific or journalistic” purposes.

The Bondi Beach attack, which took place on the first night of Chanukah on 14 December, claimed the lives of 15 people and prompted the federal government to strengthen hate crime legislation.

Just over a year after the attack, Damari visited the site. Standing on the bridge where the shooting took place, the 29-year-old said: “They thought we would be afraid. That we would bow our heads. That we would stay silent. They were wrong.”

Reflecting on Jewish resilience, she added that the Jewish people were “still standing” after being attacked for thousands of years. “A people shall rise like a lion,” she said, quoting the Torah.

During the visit, Damari also met Elon, a survivor of the Bondi Beach attack who was shot six times and spent more than 10 days in a coma.

Blam, the artist behind the seized posters, said the work was intended as satire.“It’s appalling that you call out fascism and no surprise the fascists try to shut it down,” Blam told the Australian Broadcasting Company.

“It’s clearly satirical (and) it shows you how utterly ridiculous the police force are at missing the point (and) wasting everyone’s time/

“Speaking out about the rise of fascism, racism, capitalism and genocide isn’t a hate crime.”

Police said enquiries remain ongoing.