Sydney Festival board member joins Israel funding fiasco exodus
A Sydney Festival board member has resigned in protest of a sponsorship deal with the Israeli embassy which has led to dozens of artists boycotting the festival.
Entertainment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sydney Festival board member Benjamin Law has resigned from the organisation in protest of the board’s decision to uphold a $20,000 sponsorship deal with the Israeli embassy for a dance performance.
The deal has sparked widespread outrage, leading to dozens of artists boycotting the festival and saying the deal made the festival unsafe for artists of Arab — and particularly Palestinian — background.
In a statement on Friday, screenwriter Law said: “Today’s decision to leave the board is mine alone. I am only comfortable departing now because I have every confidence in the remaining Board directors for the process ahead, and I remain an ardent fan and supporter of Olivia Ansell’s vision of a reactivated and dynamic Sydney.”
The announcement was sent by festival chair David Kirk, who admitted the festival had “faced unprecedented challenges this year, specifically Covid and the BDS movement.”
“This has put significantly increased pressure on all members of the Board, the staff, and most importantly artists,” he said.
Kirk acknowledged Law’s contribution, saying he has been an “insightful and
much valued member of our Board since joining in 2020”.
“As we’ve worked through the complexities of this year’s Festival, he’s been a considered and constant voice as we collectively arrived at our position. I wish Benjamin all the very best for his future and thank him for his service.”
Kirk and his colleagues have faced mounting pressure to resign following news of the sponsorship of the Sydney Dance Company production of Decadence, came out.
Since then, Kirk has acknowledged he did not learn about the funding until he saw the Israeli embassy logo on the performance’s program.
Despite this, he and other board members have said they would not resign.
A comprehensive review of why the deal triggered such a fallout among artists is expected to be undertaken by Sydney Festival.
Defenceless Aussie screen industry’s urgent plea to combat Trump threat
Australia’s screen industry has reignited urgent calls in a bid to combat Donald Trump’s tariff threat.
Sydney socialites shine at Silver Party fundraiser
It’s been on a three-year hiatus, then was postponed because of ongoing rain, but nothing was stopping 300 of Sydney’s socialites from attending the glittering Silver Party on Saturday night.