Yesterday the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal rejected the Jewish Community Council of Victoria's bid for an interim injunction to block the Irving documentary and interview, plus another film titled The Israel-Palestine Conflict: A Palestine Perspective.

Judge Michael Higgins said there were no grounds to support the council's claim that the films and interview would racially vilify Jewish people.

"In the circumstances, I do not see any detriment to the public's interest," Judge Higgins said.

But the council's president, Michael Lipshutz, vowed to continue the fight, saying he would appeal against the tribunal decision.

"Racism and anti-semitism must be stopped, wherever it is found," Mr Lipshutz said.

"We're deeply disappointed because I think it's incomprehensible that anyone could say that the denial of the Holocaust and the fact that six million Jews died isn't offensive and doesn't vilify Jews."

Festival director Richard Wolstencroft said the decision upheld the principles of free speech.

Mr Wolstencroft said he disagreed with Irving's theories but believed the historian had a right to express them.

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