Councillor’s keffiyeh
“I was shocked and very surprised because, unlike other people, I was naive about the prevalence of anti-Zionism and antisemitism in the arts world,” says Lily.
A local Jewish artist was left feeling shocked and uncomfortable when Greens councillor Rafaela Pandolfini recently emceed the Randwick City Council’s women’s art exhibition wearing a keffiyeh.
Each year, Randwick City Council hosts the exhibition in honour of vInternational Women’s Day.
The Jewish artist, known professionally as Lily, submitted her moving piece The Weeping Wall, depicting a woman crying at the Western Wall, but felt confronted by Pandolfini’s choice of attire.
“I was shocked and very surprised because, unlike other people, I was naive about the prevalence of anti-Zionism and antisemitism in the arts world,” Lily said.
“I felt threatened actually because of what she was standing up there saying compared to what she was wearing.
“I care very much about women’s rights and the safety of women … The hypocrisy of her wearing a keffiyeh at an event like that said it was about all women, except Jews.”
Lily approached Randwick mayor Philipa Veitch to inform her that a number of attendees felt uncomfortable about the keffiyeh. Veitch, also Greens, responded that she supported Pandolfini, adding that she too calls for a ceasefire.
Lily, who lived in Israel for several years and describes herself as an ‘Ausraeli’, said the incident has left her feeling like the Jewish community is being terrorised.
“I know there are other artists who have decided not to be part of these events lately, and I think that is a great loss to the Australian community and culture if Jewish people are afraid of contributing,” she said. “I don’t want to see that in this country.”
Liberal councillor Daniel Rosenfeld was made aware of the incident and has reported it to the Randwick Council general manger Ray Brownlee, who indicated he would look into it.
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