The CEO of Foxtel, a major Australian cable television company primarily owned by News Corp, has issued an “unreserved” apology after a photo emerged showing him performing a Nazi salute. Patrick Delaney explained that he believed he was mimicking a gesture used by some fans of the Western Sydney soccer club when the photo was taken nearly a decade ago.
In an email to staff, Delaney acknowledged that “regardless of the context, the fact that I demonstrated this offensive salute was wrong.” The Jewish Council of Australia criticized Delaney’s actions as “deeply concerning,” with the council’s executive officer, Sarah Schwartz, stating that the salute is an “offensive and violent act” for both Jews and other marginalized groups.
Delaney stated that he had been “searching [his] mind” to understand how the photo could have been taken, explaining that he thought he was impersonating a threatening gesture made by Western Sydney Wanderers fans during the 2014-15 season while visiting the set of a Fox Sports television program. He emphasized that the image was “completely inconsistent” with his values and beliefs, condemning all forms of racism.
Delaney also pointed to his commitment to the ‘Say No to Antisemitism’ letter, which he signed along with other Australian leaders following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the taking of 251 hostages. He pledged to continue meeting with Jewish leaders to express his “deep remorse.”
However, Sarah Schwartz argued that Delaney’s actions highlight the need for more than superficial pledges against antisemitism. The controversy comes as Australia faces a rise in both antisemitism and Islamophobia, fueled by tensions over the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. The Australian government recently appointed a special envoy to combat antisemitism and has promised to establish a similar role to address Islamophobia.
The scandal occurs at a challenging time for Foxtel, whose business model has been under pressure due to the rise of more affordable international streaming services. Earlier this month, News Corp announced that it was considering selling the struggling pay-TV company.
