Hong Kong karaoke bar condemned for Nazi photos

A Hong Kong karaoke bar has removed a photo of a Nazi execution from its walls after complaints, but says pictures of Adolf Hitler are there to stay.

The South China Morning Post reports Bar Pacific has been decorated with photographs of Hitler and Nazi soldiers for four years.

Israeli Consul-General Eli Avidar has hit out at the bar, saying: "The use of Nazi symbols in any way is wrong. It is way beyond my understanding, how people can enjoy a drink and sing karaoke whilst viewing pictures of executions carried out by Nazi soldiers."

The bar's manager, Mui Mui Poon, says a photo showing a Nazi soldier shooting a man on the edge of a pit already piled high with execution victims has now been removed.

Mr Avidar said: "Removing one picture is not enough. Hitler is the symbol of evil and crimes against humanity and he shouldn't be legitimised in any way."

But he added other Nazi photographs, including four portraits of Hitler, will stay. Bar Pacific spokeswoman Eva Tse told the newspaper customers enjoy the photos, as they help them find out more about war.

Earlier this month, Mr Avidar and German Consul-General Heinrich Beuth criticised a Hong Kong fashion company for using swastikas and other Nazi symbols on its clothes and to decorate its stores. The firm later removed the items and apologised.

Mr Avidar says he plans to meet Hong Kong government officials to discuss education in the territory about the Second World War. He said only education and public pressure could help people "distance themselves completely from symbols that portray evil, immorality and crimes against humanity."