Joan Rivers in 2010. Photo: Wikipedia

The ADL expressed shock Wednesday at a “vulgar and offensive” remark made by Joan Rivers during a recent episode of her show “Fashion Police,” in which she commented on a dress worn by German-American supermodel Heidi Klum: “The last time a German looked this hot was when they were pushing Jews into the ovens.”

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director and a Holocaust survivor, issued the following statement:

“Of all people, Joan Rivers should know better.  This remark is so vulgar and offensive to Jews and Holocaust survivors, and indeed to all Americans, that we cannot believe it made it to the airwaves.  Making it worse, not one of her co-hosts made any effort to respond or to condemn this hideous statement, leaving it hanging out there and giving it added legitimacy through their silence.  Almost as bad as her original comment is the fact that she sat there doubled over with laughter after saying it.

There are certain things about the Holocaust that should be taboo.  This is especially true for Jews, for whom the Holocaust is still a deeply painful memory.  It is vulgar and offensive for anybody to use the death of six million Jews and millions of others in the Holocaust to make a joke, but this is especially true for someone who is Jewish and who proudly and publicly wears her Jewishness on her sleeve.”

In a letter to Suzanne Kolb, President of E! Entertainment Television, the ADL urged the network to prevail upon Ms. Rivers to issue a formal apology, and to remove the segment from future broadcast.