Anti-Defamation League National Director Abraham Foxman has expressed his “outrage” over a decision to ban an Israeli Eurovision contestant from wearing a John Galliano dress.
Israel’s Eurovision contestant, Moran Mazor, was told by the Israel Broadcast Authority (IBA) last week that she was not allowed to wear an outfit designed by the French fashion designer, who has been convicted for making antisemitic remarks.
The IBA, which will sponsor the contestant and broadcast the contest, made the decision after Ms Mazor told Israeli news site Mako that her stylist “reached out to several international designers, among them John Galliano… he accepted the challenge of designing a dress”.
Mr Foxman has since said: “I am outraged and embarrassed that an entity representing Israel would reject Mr Galliano. Rejecting someone who gave a sincere apology is not Jewish tradition… Mr Galliano is a changed man.”
Mr Galliano faced international scrutiny when he was arrested for antisemitism in 2011 and fired from fashion house Christian Dior. Mr Galliano has since apologised on many occasions for his behaviour.