Does incessant demonization of Israel lead to discrimination against Jews? Increasingly, the evidence seems to be pointing in that direction. Last month, a Jewish candidate for student government at UCLA was initially deemed unsuitable for the post because of her involvement in Jewish organizations.
Now, a theater in Australia has refused to rent a space to a Jewish group seeking to stage a series of performances about the Holocaust. The official reason, apparently, was opposition to Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians.
Hillel, a Jewish organization for students and youth, attempted to book The Red Rattler Theatre in Sydney. But In a terse e-mail, the theater responded: “‘Our policy does not support colonialism/Zionism. Therefore we do not host groups that support the colonization and occupation of Palestine.”
Following accusations of discrimination from New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff, the board of directors of the Red Rattler appeared to back away from its original position. In an email to the Australian Jewish News, the board indicated the original response “does not reflect the values of the Community Board of the Red Rattler Theater.”
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The statement continued: “The Red Rattler condemns racism of any kind. We welcome organizations from all cultures and walks of life and actively encourage cultural diversity.”
The original act of discrimination is all the more galling in light of the explicit anti-racism policy listed on the theater’s website:
The Red Rattler was set up as a space where racism, homophobia, transphobia and sexism are not welcome on stage, in the audience, at the door, and at the bar.
We ask you to join us in efforts to make this space welcoming, stimulating, and happiness producing to people regardless of their ethnicity, sexuality or gender.
Apparently, the apolitical Hillel organization did not qualify for this blanket protection. Somehow, even a theater that promotes equality “regardless of ethnicity” found room to discriminate against a Jewish organization.
The increasing incidence of direct discrimination against Jews parallels the increasing effort to single out Israel for boycotts and sanctions. While BDS leaders insist that their activity is directed towards Israel, the effect is an increase in hostility towards Jews with no direct links to Israel.
And if a theater actively engaged in fighting racism can discriminate against Jews, who is left to fight the growing anti-Semitism.
