Jewish leader slams propaganda
Nazi propaganda sold via the websites of two prominent Scottish bookshops has been removed from sale following a Sunday Mail investigation.
Our probe identified bound copies of hated tabloid Der Stürmer published by a Nazi war criminal on sale on specialist book site AbeBooks.
The retailer is used as a marketplace by two of Wigtown’s leading second-hand bookshops to sell to customers.
Wigtown, in Galloway, is known as Scotland’s national book town and attracts thousands of book lovers to the area every year.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is among the avid readers who have visited the town’s shops.
Last week, our reporter was able to order bound copies of Julius Streicher’s hate-filled newspaper Der Stürmer for as little as £ 8 by visiting the sites of The Bookshop and Webbooks.
Our searches on the shops’ websites were redirected to AbeBooks, who returned dozens of entries on Streicher.
But after pointing out the hateful finds to the US-based retailer, the books werere taken down for sale.
Our revelation comes weeks after Amazon was criticised for selling anti-iSemitic children’s boo The Poisonous Mushroom, written by Streicher.
World Jewish Congress president Ronald Lauder said: “It is inconceivable we should have to revisit this issue time and again to ensure the safety and security of our communities from those who might well be inspired through these purchases to attack Jews and other minorities in the spirit of Nazi virulence.
“Streicher propagated an image of Jews
as subhuman, violent sexual abusers and enslavers, using his publications as a mouthpiece for blood libels and smear campaigns that shaped Nazi Germany.”
Der Stürmer, a weekly German tabloid published from 1923 to the end of World War II, played a significant part in spreading Nazi propaganda.
It usually had the phrase “The Jews are our misfortune” printed across the bottom of the cover and carried cartoons portraying Jews as ugly characters.
The hateful rag proved popular in Germany, making Streicher a millionaire.
But after the war, he was convicted of crimes against humanity at the Nuremberg trials and was executed. AbeBooks said: “We are mindful of book censorship throughout history and believe that providing access to a variety of viewpoints is one of the most important things we do for customers.
“We recognise there are heavily debated titles on our website and different views on where to draw the line protecting freedom of expression. We are always listening to customer feedback.”
Author Shaun Bythell, who owns The Bookshop, couldn’t be reached for comment. We books did not respond.