The Jewish Council of Australia has strongly condemned a social media post by AFL legend Warren Tredrea, accusing it of promoting “far-right antisemitic conspiracy theories” and Holocaust denial. The controversy erupted following a video shared on Tredrea’s Instagram account, featuring a guest on his new podcast making inflammatory statements about Israel.
In the video, British Army veteran AJ Roberts, a guest on Tredrea’s podcast, describes Israel as a “fake state” and alleges it was behind the creation of the terror group ISIS. Roberts further claimed that Zionists were responsible for “controlling World War II” and asserted that the 9/11 terrorist attacks were orchestrated by Mossad.
“Mossad created ISIS with Barack Obama so ISIS actually stands for ‘Israeli Specialist Intelligence Service’,” Roberts told Tredrea.
The Jewish Council of Australia expressed deep concern over the post, with executive officer Max Kaiser stating, “The amplification of far-right antisemitic conspiracy theories in this Instagram post and podcast episode is deeply disturbing.” Kaiser criticized the content for including “bizarre” theories about satanic rituals and other fringe beliefs.
Podcast Controversy and Public Reaction
The podcast episode, part of Tredrea’s series titled “Ballsy,” was uploaded to Spotify and promoted through Instagram trailers. The series is described as a platform where “fearless guests bare their souls and disrupt belief systems.” However, the recent episode has drawn ire from various quarters, including a self-identified “Jewish Port Adelaide supporter” who labeled the content as antisemitic.
In response to the backlash, Tredrea has been contacted by multiple media outlets, including the ABC, for comment. Previously, he had rejected accusations of supporting antisemitic views, questioning the definition of antisemitism on social media platform X.
Warren Tredrea’s Legal and Professional Challenges
The controversy over the podcast comes amid Tredrea’s ongoing legal and professional challenges. Last week, he appeared in court over a dispute with Channel Nine, where he previously worked as a sports newsreader. Tredrea claimed his contract was unfairly terminated due to his refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, seeking nearly $6 million in lost wages. However, the Federal Court dismissed his case, siding with Nine’s argument that his contract was not renewed due to performance issues.
In court documents, Tredrea described himself as a “private man” and made unconventional claims about legal tender, stating he had discharged his debt with a “promissory note.”
Port Adelaide Football Club’s Stance
Amidst the turmoil, Port Adelaide Football Club has been asked about Tredrea’s position on its board. Club chair David Koch defended Tredrea, emphasizing his role as a member-elected director. “What happens in his private life is up to him,” Koch stated, highlighting Tredrea’s contributions to board meetings and the football strategic committee.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley also addressed the issue, affirming that personal views of club affiliates are their own. “I’m not going to support or make any other comment about that other than that’s their views,” Hinkley said at a press conference.
Port Adelaide declined to comment further on Tredrea’s Instagram posts and podcast, with a spokesperson stating the matter had been discussed internally.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The incident underscores the broader challenges of navigating free speech and accountability in the digital age, particularly for public figures. As the controversy unfolds, it raises questions about the responsibilities of influencers and the potential impact of their platforms on public discourse.
Moving forward, it remains to be seen how Tredrea will address the criticism and whether the podcast will continue in its current form. The situation also highlights the need for careful consideration of content shared on public platforms, especially when it involves sensitive historical and political topics.
