Sydney

A top boss of a News Corp company in Australia has apologised for making what appeared to be a Nazi salute following backlash from the Jewish community. Patrick Delaney, the CEO of Foxtel, a cable company majority owned by News Corp, found himself in a soup after an old picture of him doing the 'Nazi salute' resurfaced.

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"This evening, a ten-year-old photograph of me making an inappropriate salute which is highly offensive to the Jewish community was published online. I am very sorry for my actions and sincerely apologise to people who have been hurt or offended espesially the members of the Jewish community," he said in an email dated Sunday (Aug 18), the text of which was released by Crikey.com, which first reported about the photo.

"Since becoming aware of this photo, I have been searching my mind for a circumstance, from over a decade ago, where a photo capturing me in this pose could ever be possible. The picture is completely inconsistent with my values and beliefs, and family connections," he added.

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Delaney "unreservedly" apologised after trying to initially explain it out saying he thought he was showing the similarity between the Nazi salute and a gesture used by fans of an Australian soccer club.

"Regardless of the context, the fact I demonstrated this offensive salute was wrong," he said, according to a report in the BBC.

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The photo was taken a decade ago. His apology came as the Jewish Council of Australia condemned his actions as "deeply concerning", particularly given that he is leading a media company.

"It shouldn't need to be said that the salute is an offensive and violent act not only for Jews, but also for other racialised groups," said Sarah Schwartz, the council's executive officer, while adding that it's equally concerning that he operates in a media industry "where he felt this was somehow okay." 

Also read: Britain redefines 'extremism' in the face of rising hate crimes, critics call it a threat to free speech

As per the Foxtel CEO, he was impersonating "a threatening gesture" made by some fans of Western Sydney Wanderers, a soccer club, during the 2014-15 season, while visiting the set of a Fox Sports television programme when he was the CEO of that channel.

In his apology, Delenay condemned "racism in all its forms", pointing to his commitment to the 'Say No to Antisemitism letter', the BBC said.

The letter was  signed by him as well as some other influential Australians from all walks of life following the Hamas terror attack on Israel last October.

Delaney is no stranger to controversy. In 2022, he was in the news for calling the star of Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke a "short, dumpy girl."

(With inputs from agencies)