Comedian David Baddiel joined others in defending a Holocaust Educational Trust (HET) regional ambassador who faced backlash after describing Nazi war criminals Adolf Eichmann and Joachim von Ribbentrop as “incredibly good-looking”.
Eluned Anderson, 21, made the comment in a 2019 Facebook post, which read: “Look I know they were evil bastards, but Eichmann and a young Ribbentrop were incredibly good looking.”
She also withdrew her candidacy for Young Labour chair, saying it was “for the sake of my wellbeing.”
“As has been well publicised, I have long struggled with my mental health and, outside of these elections, the past few months have been incredibly difficult for me personally,” she said.
She faced criticism for the comment which resurfaced on social media at the weekend.
But Mr Baddiel defended Ms Anderson saying there was “literally zero wrong” with the comment and joking that he “always more had the hots for [Nazi official] Albert Speer.”
To which, broadcaster Victoria Coren Mitchell replied: “Also it’s hard to tell whether or not Eichmann was good-looking because he looked so much like [actor] Bing Crosby.”
David Toube, director of policy at the counter-extremism think tank Quilliam, accused Ms Anderson’s critics of “over policing” speech.
“This isn't a problem. Jews aren't upset by this sort of thing,” he said on Monday.
“Honestly, this over policing of speech has to stop. If it doesn't we will end up with politicians who speak exclusively in empty platitudes. Some might say we are there already.”
Yes, really. This isn't a problem. Jews aren't upset by this sort of thing.
— David Toube (@ToubeDavid) October 19, 2020
Honestly, this over policing of speech has to stop.
If it doesn't we will end up with politicians who speak exclusively in empty platitudes.
Some might say we are there already. https://t.co/pXEAJnsAZ5
Both Mr Eichmann, the leading architect of the final solution, and von Ribbentrop, Adolf Hitler’s foreign minister, were convicted and executed for their crimes.
Ms Anderson said on Sunday that she wanted to “sincerely apologise to the Jewish community”.
“There is absolutely no excuse for having made it. This comment was stupid and I was stupid to make it,” she said on Sunday.
She said she would “continue to do everything in my power to educate myself and to support both the Jewish and the trans community.”
HET works with a network of more than 100 regional ambassadors to raise awareness of the Holocaust through local projects, such as events and talks with survivors.
