‘Victoria is not safe for Jewishs creatives’: Deborah Conway’s career hanging in balance because of her support for Israel

Renowned singer-songwriter Deborah Conway has revealed anti-Semitism has left her career hanging in the balance as venues refuse to let her play because of her outspoken support for Israel.

Singer Deborah Conway has revealed the impact the rise of anti-Semitism has had on her career. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Renowned singer-songwriter Deborah Conway has revealed anti-Semitism has left her career hanging in the balance because of her outspoken support for Israel.

Amid growing local tensions over the war in the Middle East the Jewish performer says local music industry venues are being targeted and threatened over hosting shows for Jewish creatives.

She told the Sunday Herald Sun she had been refused bookings by prominent Melbourne venues in recent weeks, and had one show cancelled, in her efforts to promote a new album and knows she is not the only Jewish creative to be cancelled.

And she has warned both the federal and state government must do more to clamp down on anti-Semitism.

Deborah Conway has been targeted by local pro-Palestine forces since the October 7 attacks. Picture: Alex Coppel

Ms Conway has been targeted by local pro-Palestine forces since the October 7 attacks because of her support for Israel.

It included being one of 600 Jewish Australian artists, academics and writers whose names, photos and social media details were leaked online by anti-Zionist activists.

“Right now Victoria is not safe for Jewish creatives,” Ms Conway said.

“This is true of many places in Australia and of course many creatives, myself included, are questioning if we have a career to pursue in this country if targeted threats of violence against us in our workplace are not taken seriously. I am fortunate enough to have enjoyed a four decade career but I am horrified for emerging Jewish talent and the barriers they’re now facing.

“At every event we must discover the hard way what kind of support versus antagonism we face when we are performing to audiences.

“I dearly hope that we are allowed to play our music for people who want to hear it without the intimidation tactics used by people who want to silence us for factors not linked to our art or our skills.”

Pro-Palestine supporters march through Melbourne at one of many public protests. Picture: William West

Police attend a Jewish synagogue that was set alight in Melbourne. Picture: David Crosling

The Sunday Herald Sun has seen emails to Ms Conway from local and regional venues and councils advising they will not host her performances because of security concerns.

In one she was told: “Council has a responsibility to ensure that all supported events align with our values of inclusion, respect, and community safety, as outlined in our Cultural

Diversity and Inclusion Statement.”

“Recent public commentary by the artist has attracted widespread attention, including instances of protest and event disruption,” it said.

“As part of Council’s arts and culture programming, we must consider the potential impact on community wellbeing and cohesion.

“We are unable to support performances where there is a reasonable risk of community distress, division, or safety concerns arising from the broader public context.”

In another, after public announcing her tour, she was told the show could not go on.

“After our announcement for Deborah’s show a few hours ago, I have received a number of messages that suggest this show will be heavily protested,” a venue organiser said.

“I strongly feel we should postpone the show, in the interests of Deborah’s safety.

“I received a call from the local Palestinian support group, who said they would be present at the venue protesting the gig.

“It’s a sad state of affairs, but I do not want trouble for us or the artist.

“There is strong Palestinian support in the town as you are no doubt aware and I feel like this could only bring negative publicity for all of us.”

Deborah Conway says venues are refusing to let her play due to ongoing threats of violence against her. Picture: Arsineh Houspian

Ms Conway said she now felt she had a target on her back.

“I never expected that standing up for my community in the weeks following the October 7 attacks would ever put a target on my back here in Australia,” she said.

“These activists that we have seen take over our streets don’t just disagree with you, they will abuse, threaten and support violence against innocent people if you have a different opinion to them.

“The people calling themselves pro- Palestinian are not about finding solutions or engaging in legitimate activism. Rather than promoting peace or just lobbying political figures who

can actually make a difference, they promote conflict in Australia towards people who have nothing to do with the situation and can have zero impact on bringing the war in the Middle

East to a close.”

With her tour announced but still not fully launched, Ms Conway said one show had be withdrawn from sale and others rejected by venues over safety concerns.

“Because some people are openly threatening me, I’m being prevented from working,” she said.

“I don’t blame the venues, but how are such blatant threats being seen as acceptable?

“I am a firm believer in free speech and the right to protest but I think we went past the traditional form of protesting a long time ago and there has been a consistent failure of

politicians to admit that.

“If the openly violent and anti-Semitic behaviour we’ve seen on the streets post October 7 had been treated with a less dismissive attitude, we might not have escalated to this point.”

Originally published as ‘Victoria is not safe for Jewishs creatives’: Deborah Conway’s career hanging in balance because of her support for Israel