“The world looked away during the World War, and Jews, 6 million of our people, were murdered in that looking away…  It is incumbent upon humanity to look at what is happening in Gaza now and to say we will not accept this. We will say no. Not in our name.” - Louise Adler

The decision last week of three actors in the Sydney Theatre Company’s new production of the Chekov play The Seagull to wear the Palestinian scarf known as the keffiyeh during curtain call sparked a frenzy of condemnation from members of the Jewish community, resignations from the STC board, and withdrawal of donor support.

Louise Adler has been involved in the arts sector for over 30 years, as a board member and book publisher and is currently Director of Adelaide Writers’ Week. Her view on the place of politics in the arts is also informed by her own family history.

Watch the interview here:

First published by ABC News on 9 December, 2023.

For more on this topic, P&I recommends:

How are Australian Jews responding to the war against Gaza?

There is a clear need to explain to outsiders what is going on in the Jewish community in Australia. There is all-too-common assumption that there is one Jewish voice on this tragedy and this is something projected by the official organisations. In fact, the published views of people such as Louise Adler or Jenna Price or others are probably close to those held by many people, but fear reigns, and silence reigns supreme. Few people are prepared to go public for fear of social or other retribution.

The views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Pearls and Irritations.