David Icke. Photo: Tyler Merbler via Wikimedia Commons.

Australia’s Anti-Defamation Commission on Tuesday called on the country’s immigration minister, David Coleman, to prevent British antisemitic conspiracy theorist David Icke from entering the country on a lecture tour.

A well-known conspiracy author, Icke has written numerous books charging than an alien race of humanoid reptiles secretly controls the world.

In recent years, he has openly embraced antisemitism, adopting The Protocols of the Elders of Zion as a recommended text, charging that “Rothschild Zionists” were leaders of the reptilian conspiracy, blaming Jews for the 9/11 attacks, endorsing Holocaust denial and calling Judaism “racist,” among other defamatory claims.

Dr. Dvir Abramovich, chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, stated, “Australia should not put out the welcome mat to a hate-preacher who spews anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and myths, and who traffics in bigoted rants.”

“This is a man who  claims that the Jews funded the Holocaust and who casts doubt on the extermination of six million Jews,” Abramovich explained, “who maintains that the world is run by a secret cabal of Jews and who has said that racist far-right groups are fronts for the Jews. He also endorses and draws inspiration from the notorious forgery The Protocols of Zion, which influenced Hitler and was exploited by the Nazis to degrade Jews, and who maintains that a Jewish organization was behind the slave trade.”

“His visit would only compound and promote extremist sentiment and may give rise to violence,” warned Abramovich. “It would also send the wrong signal about our nation, and violate our core values of  tolerance, diversity and respect. As we witness a significant increase in anti-Semitism and neo-Nazi activity in Australia, Icke’s visit poses a significant risk of vilifying the Jewish community and inciting against it.”

“Icke’s revolting anti-Jewish propaganda and abhorrent rhetoric should not be given a platform,” Abramovich added, “and on the basis of his longstanding record of demonization, writings, and statements, we urge David Coleman to use his powers under section 501 of The Migration Act and revoke Icke’s visa.”