Several Jewish organizations praised the Christian Dior fashion house for firing famed British designer John Galliano after he allegedly harassed a couple in a Paris bar last week using anti-Semitic and racist slurs.
Galliano’s firing as chief designer for Christian Dior was announced March 1, one day after a video was released of an earlier incident that showed Galliano expressing admiration for Hitler.
Dior’s “swift and courageous action sends a clear message that this kind of anti-Semitic rhetoric is unacceptable both in the fashion world and in larger society,” Abraham Foxman, national director of the ADL, said in a statement released March 1.
The American Jewish Committee and B’nai B’rith International also praised Galliano’s firing. In a statement, B’nai B’rith commended Dior for “making the right decision and acting quickly to dismiss Galliano and decry his hate speech.”
Actress Natalie Portman, who is the face of Dior perfume, spoke out against Galliano in a statement released March 1.
“I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments,” Portman said. “In light of this video, and as an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr. Galliano in any way.”
The video, posted on YouTube, shows Galliano yelling at a different couple at the same bar, and captures him saying “I love Hitler.” He also tells the couple, “People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers, would all be f—king gassed.”
The most recent altercation took place Feb. 24 at a trendy bar in Paris between Galliano, who reportedly had been drinking, and a couple — a Jewish woman and an Asian man — whom he did not know.
Galliano reportedly said, “Dirty Jewish face, you should be dead” to Geraldine Bloch, 35, according to the French daily le Figaro, which had access to police reports with eyewitness accounts of the event.
Le Figaro reported that Galliano then grabbed Bloch by the hair and shouted at Bloch’s companion, Philippe Virgiti, 41, “F—king Asian bastard, I will kill you.”
The designer was taken into custody, questioned by police and tested for blood alcohol levels before being released.
Galliano filed an official complaint for libel one day later, on Feb. 25, after being suspended from Dior. He faced his accusers at a police station Feb. 28, reportedly denying all accusations against him.
Galliano’s chauffeur and an employee of the bar where the insults were allegedly made also were reported to have testified at the hearing, with both saying they did not hear Galliano make any anti-Semitic or racist remarks.
On March 2, Paris prosecutors ordered Galliano to stand trial over the alleged comments. Anti-Semitic remarks are illegal in France, and if convicted, Galliano could face up to six months in prison and over $30,000 in fines.
Galliano also made his first public statement on the matter March 2, saying that “anti-Semitism and racism have no part in our society. I unreservedly apologize for my behavior in causing any offense.” He also noted that he was “seeking help” for his personal failures.
Several media outlets took that to mean the designer was headed to rehab, but as of press time neither Galliano nor a spokesperson for his clothing line would confirm the rumors.
Dior now faces the question of who it will get to replace Galliano. Some speculate that Moroccan-born Israeli Alber Elbaz, who heads the fashion house Lanvin, could be tapped for the top spot.