The University of Melbourne, where Holocaust denial leaflets were found. Photo: The University of Melbourne.

Around 300 flyers that dispute the existence of the Holocaust were found on cars at the University of Melbourne on Monday, The Australian Jewish News reported.

The antisemitic leaflets called the Holocaust the “greatest swindle of all time”and claimed that “Holocaust studies is replete with nonsense, if not sheer fraud.” The flyers, which also argued against the reliability of testimonies from Holocaust survivors, were discovered inside the university’s Square Car Park on the first day of a new university semester.

The pamphlets included a reference to an Australian website overflowing with content that denies the Holocaust. The website says the testimonies of Holocaust survivors are “downright implausible or impossible” and that few people realize the “practical non-existence of material or documentary evidence in support of essential Holocaust allegations. At the same time, so many harbor the deep impression that witnesses to alleged Holocaust crimes are far more numerous and far more credible than they really are.”

Dvir Abramovich, chairman of the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission, called the leaflets “repugnant” and “utterly sickening.” He said they are “nothing more than antisemitic tracts” intended to corrupt the minds of university students.

“This is an alarming escalation in anti-Jewish hostility and is a cause for serious concern,” he continued. “The racists and bigots who distributed these Holocaust denial materials want to confuse readers by disguising this venom and vileness as a legitimate alternative view of history, and are trying to promote the abhorrent message of racism, Nazism and Fascism…It is another reminder that we must continue to speak out and educate against individuals and groups who are using the tools of prejudice to project a basic hatred of the Jewish people.”

A spokesperson for the University of Melbourne said the flyers were removed from the cars and other car parks at the school were checked, though no other flyers were found. Police were not informed of the incident.