Jewish groups slam inclusion of anti-Israel rappers on Sydney’s New Year’s Eve

Jewish groups have slammed the inclusion of two rappers who took part in an anti-Israel boycott of last year’s Sydney Festival.

Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore at the official launch of the 2023 Sydney New Year's Eve, produced by the City of Sydney, at the Sydney Opera House, on Monday. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Jewish groups have slammed the inclusion of two rappers in the City of Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations who took part in an anti-Israel boycott of last year’s Sydney Festival.

On Monday, City of Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore announced plans for New Year’s Eve 9pm fireworks, which would be run by We Are Warriors and focus on Indigenous artists and youth.

Included were rappers Nooky and Barkaa.

Nooky is the artist director of We Are Warriors – which is running that part of the night’s event, Calling Country, and producing the firework soundtrack – and Barkaa will be projected on to the Harbour Bridge’s pylons alongside other Indigenous figures.

Both artists took part in an anti-Israel boycott of last year’s Sydney Festival after organisers accepted a $20,000 sponsorship deal with the Israeli embassy to support Sydney Dance Company’s production Decadence, created by Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin.

Corey Webster, known as Nooky. Picture: Craig Wilson

At the time, Barkaa said on Instagram in December 2021 upon pulling out: “I stand with Pales­tine always and I’m pulling out of all events associated with (the Sydney Festival)”.

“We as a nation live in a time where we should know better, so we should do better,” she said.

In a since deleted Instagram post, Barkaa shared a call from Artists Against Apartheid to support the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions move­ment and demand Sydney Festival divest from the funding partnership.

Barkaa walks the red carpet at the 2023 ARIA Awards. Picture: Nikki Short

On Tuesday, Barkaa re-shared pro-Palestine content to her Instagram account, including a post calling Israel’s response “genocide”.

Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory said the group was concerned by the inclusion of two artists with overtly anti-Israel views.

“Barkaa is not someone deserving of an honour: she deserves condemnation, this is someone responsible for spreading division and conflict,” he said.

“The fireworks should be about bringing people together, not exclusion and division. It will be confronting for Sydney’s Jewish and Israeli community to see the image of someone associated with intolerance projected on to the Harbour Bridge.”

He also criticised Nooky’s involvement. “The prominent role given to multiple people who have taken part in hateful boycotts will alienate and isolate the Jewish community at an already difficult time,” he said.

Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory.

“Lord mayor Moore claimed it was too ‘divisive’ to light Sydney’s Town Hall in Israel’s colours after the October 7 massacre of the most Jews since the Holocaust and blocked it.

“Will she apply her own standards and block this divisive stunt from going ahead?”

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said it was “disappointing” to see the inclusion of artists who had previously chosen to boycott a section of society.

“When there are so many incredible Indigenous artists who uplift and unite us, it is dis­appointing that individuals who are attacking a segment of our society by supporting boycotts and making false claims of genocide were chosen,” he said.

“Our multiculturalism is at stake and leaders and influencers who use their voice to inflame and marginalise are not voices we need right now.”

A City of Sydney spokeswoman said the Calling Country 9pm fireworks was a “harbour-wide ceremony embracing and honouring the Dreaming of this place and our relationship to it”.

Nooky and Barkaa were both contacted.