Theatre board splits over Clementine Ford booking

A prestigious theatre’s decision to book anti-Israel activist Clementine Ford has sparked outrage, with a high-profile resignation by a respected philanthropist.

Anti-Israel activist Clementine Ford has been allowed to perform on the same night as the opening of an acclaimed performance of Yentl. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Valeriu Campan

A pillar of Australian Jewish community philanthropy and business has quit Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre board amid concern the anti-Israel activist Clementine Ford has been allowed to perform on the same night as the opening of an acclaimed performance of Yentl.

Debbie Dadon, a long-time backer and board member of Malthouse, has confirmed she has left the theatre.

The Malthouse, which is underpinned by high-profile Jewish foundations and individual donors, has split over the organisation’s support for Ford’s national tour, which also includes the Adelaide Writers’ Festival, the Opera House, Newcastle and Cairns.

Ms Dadon, who is the Besen Family Foundation chair, and her wider family has been targeted by the anti-Israel lobby, which is growing increasingly hostile across the country.

“Debbie Dadon confirms she has made the hard decision to step down from the board of the Malthouse Theatre.’’

“This is a particularly difficult time for Debbie and her family and for this reason Debbie will not be making any further comment,’’ the Besen Family Foundation said in a statement.

They are concerned about potential clashes because both events will be held in close proximity, at similar times.

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said no organisation should be providing Ford with a platform.

“Ford was one of the most enthusiastic participants in spreading the Australian ‘Jew list’’’ he said.

“Her attacks on Australian Jewish women have been particularly offensive, accusing them of ‘bloodlust,’ an ancient anti-Semitic libel. 

“Every Australian institution should think twice before platforming Ms Ford and her hate.”

With anti-Semitism overt on Melbourne and Sydney’s streets, Jewish community leaders have reported unease among their community about potential attacks from the anti-Israel lobby, of which Ford is a high-profile and outspoken member.

Jewish Community Council of Victoria president Philip Zajac said there was nervousness within his community among many people as anti-Semitism has risen after Hamas invaded Israel.

Mr Zajac said “professional agitators” opposed to Israel had emerged and that commonsense needed to prevail.

“It’s about people being able to enjoy unique theatre,’’ he said.

The Weekend Australian has spoken to several Jewish community members scathing of the decision to allow Ford to conduct her book tour at the same time as the Yentl production, performed by Kadimah Yiddish Theatre, is being showcased at the Malthouse.

Yentl tells the story of a young woman who defies the Jewish Orthodox tradition that forbids females from studying religious scripture. When her father dies, Yentl dresses as a male to enable her to continue her studies.

The performance is likely to be attended by large numbers of Melbourne’s Jewish community.

The Malthouse is generously supported by the Besen and Myer families.

Ford and musician Libby O’Donovan will be discussing, at least in part, Ford’s latest book, How We Love: Notes on a Life.

In Sydney, MPs and Jewish leaders raised concerns over Ford’s “curatorship” of a Sydney Opera House festival following her connections to a doxxing of about 600 Jewish ­creatives, although she denies any wrongdoing.

Ford is a co-curator of March’s All About Women festival, which will “explore big ideas important to women … through conversations, panels and workshops”.

However, political and Jewish leaders raised concerns given her recent involvement in disseminating the details of Jewish creatives from the leaked Whats­App group, 

The Malthouse made an impartial statement after the October 7 atrocities: “We lament with those in the Palestinian and Jewish communities who have lost lives and loved ones in the conflict. We have no tolerance for the rise in antisemitism, islamophobia and xenophobia. We call for an end to violence.’’

More than 29,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the Hamas attacks, with Israel under pressure to minimise the bloodshed.

Ford this month re-posted a social media statement stating that Hamas was “allegedly responsible for the entire October 7th atrocities’’.

She posted that those supporting Israel were depraved and that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be prosecuted for war crimes.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry have led the charge toward new federal anti-Doxxing laws after Ford was implicated in helping leak details from a 600-strong Jewish WhatsApp group.

“We cannot, as a free and democratic society, permit the compilation of

racial blacklists and the ensuing exclusion, vilification and harassment to take place,’’ ECAJ president Daniel Aghion said.

Malthouse said: “Malthouse provides a respectful creative place and we expect that people who attend the events will show that same respect to one another.’’

“We are taking advice from appropriate authorities regarding a respectful and safe environment for all.’’

A spokeswoman said: “Victoria Police is aware of these events and has been liaising with venue management.”

“As with any event, we monitor intelligence and allocate police resources as required.”