Chaney family slams Perth theatre over Israel comments

Fred Chaney says family members are neither aware nor supportive of the ‘statement of solidarity’ released by the theatre, where they are among the biggest donors.

Former federal minister Fred Chaney, above, says he and his family members are neither aware nor supportive of the ‘statement of solidarity’ posted to the theatre’s social media. Picture: Colin Murty

Perth’s prominent Chaney family have moved to distance themselves from the “offensive” pro-Palestine statement released by the independent Blue Room Theatre.

Several members of the Chaney family, including former Liberal MP Fred Chaney; former Supreme Court judge John ­Chaney; and Margrete Helgeby Chaney, the wife of high-profile company director Michael Chaney, are listed among the biggest supporters of the Northbridge-based Blue Room Theatre group.

But in a statement released on Sunday night, Fred Chaney said he and his family members were neither aware nor supportive of the ‘statement of solidarity’ posted to the theatre’s social media.

“We had no knowledge of the statement and do not support the company taking a political position on a tragic and complex international issue,” the statement from Mr Chaney said.

“The Blue Room Theatre’s statement is offensive to Jewish people and does not reflect the views of family members who were mentioned.”

The Chaney family are keen supporters of numerous Perth cultural institutions, and Mr Chaney said the family’s support for the theatre was driven only by artistic reasons.

“Any donations we made were provided because of the company’s artistic ambitions, as is the case with the other arts organisations we variously support,” he said.

The Blue Room Theatre’s statement slammed Israel over its conduct during the ongoing Gaza conflict, but made no mention of the Hamas terrorist attack of October 7.

“By starving Gaza, bombing hospitals and cutting off food, medicine, fuel and humanitarian aid, Israel is committing genocide and war crimes,” the theatre’s statement read.

“We support Palestinian liberation. We urge our Australian government to support Pales­tine’s freedom by demanding an immediate ceasefire, an end to the Gaza blockade, an end to Israeli occupation, oppression, apartheid and ethnic cleansing.”

The statement ended with the phrase “From the river to the sea. Always was, always will be.”

That phrase has been labelled anti-Semitic and is widely interpreted as a call for the extinction of the Jewish state.

The Blue Room’s pronouncement echoes the controversy around the Sydney Theatre Company in recent months after three actors wore keffiyeh scarfs in solidarity with Palestine during a curtain call.

Several STC board members including former Qantas chief Alan Joyce resigned in the wake of the action, with the STC ultimately issuing an apology for the episode.

One Perth Jewish arts professional, who did not want to be named, said Jewish people in the Perth arts community were distressed, disappointed and disgusted by the theatre’s statement.

“Personally, I find it deeply troubling that an organisation like the Blue Room Theatre, so committed to inclusion and the development of emerging artists, can post something like this,” she said.

“It achieves nothing and signals that the venue doesn’t much care for Jewish creatives and arts professionals.

“How can you walk in the door at the Blue Room Theatre and believe that they are genuine about inclusion when they’re happy to post like this online?”