National Gallery Council member quits after accusing Israel of committing ‘holocaust’
Tony Burke has remained tight-lipped after he advised the National Gallery the artist he appointed had resigned after calling out the state of Israel for committing ‘genocide’ in Gaza.
Artist Abdul-Rahman Abdullah has resigned from the board of the National Gallery of Australia, just one day after it was revealed he accused Israel of conducting a “holocaust” against Palestinians, comments that sparked outrage in the Jewish community and the Coalition.
In a statement, the NGA confirmed that its chair, Ryan Stokes, had been contacted by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke – who also oversees the arts portfolio – informing him of Mr Abdullah’s immediate resignation.
Mr Burke has remained tight-lipped about his appointment of Mr Abdullah and declined several requests from The Australian for comment.
The Australian revealed on Wednesday the Labor-appointed artist had shared derogatory social media posts calling on Israel’s opponent’s to “end this sickness” and “end Zionism”.
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson welcomed the news of Mr Abdullah’s resignation after calling on Mr Burke to sack the artist he appointed.
“Mr Abdullah’s resignation from the NGA Council is welcome. But based on the information on the public record, he never should have been appointed in the first place,” Senator Paterson said. “Tony Burke must explain why he thought it was appropriate to appoint someone to an important cultural institution who thinks Australia is a ‘deeply belligerent, inherently bigoted and selfish country’. It’s impossible to see how this appointment was in the national interest even if Tony Burke thought it was in his political interests.”
Mr Burke appointed Mr Abdullah in September 2023, shortly before the Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7. At that time Mr Burke said Mr Abdullah’s appointment would provide the NGA with “authentic leadership” that reflected “modern Australia”.
“It’s essential that our important national cultural institutions have authentic leadership that reflects their objectives, as well as modern Australia,” Mr Burke said at the time. “The National Gallery is one of our premier cultural institutions and I’m pleased to see it continue in safe hands.”
The Australian has approached Mr Abdullah for comment but he did not respond.
Based in the Peel region of Western Australia, the visual artist’s work, focusing on sculptures and installations, has been widely exhibited across the country.
In the fallout from the war in the Middle East, Mr Abdullah took to his social media account to accuse Israel of committing genocide and apartheid, including images of people burning, purportedly as a result of Israeli missile strikes in Gaza.
Before switching his profile to private, each of the images was timed to disappear from his social media within 24 hours.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the artist had demonstrated a “complete ignorance of what Jewish people believe, and complete disregard for their welfare”.
“He has articulated why the Palestinian movement has been a catastrophic failure. It is predicated on stripping Jews of their lawful rights, earned through millennia of toil and tears, instead of accepting Jewish self-determination, which is the meaning of Zionism, and seeking a peaceful Palestinian state alongside a Jewish one,” Mr Ryvchin said.
“It also demonstrates the vicious slander and disinformation that is marginalising Jews in the arts. It is totally unacceptable for someone in a position of leadership to behave in this manner.”
Opposition arts spokesman Paul Fletcher said Mr Burke’s silence was not good enough.
“The NGA is one of our most significant national cultural institutions and must uphold the principles of inclusion and respect. These comments do neither and instead seek to stir division,” Mr Fletcher said.
“Tony Burke needs to show leadership and condemn these comments. Offering silence isn’t good enough.”
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