Jewish radio host forced out

A Jewish volunteer radio host said she was dismissed from a Sydney community radio station after refusing demands to “actively support” Hamas and participate in pro-Palestinian rallies.

Nicole, who hosted a Latin American community program at Radio Skid Row, told The AJN she was terminated following a confrontational meeting where station management mocked her concerns about antisemitism and insisted she promote Palestinian resistance movements.

Sky News’ Caroline Marcus first broke the story on Monday evening .

The incident began when Nicole covered up a “Free Palestine” sticker in the studio before interviewing guests for her first recorded show. Her program, which focused on relationships, expat life and Latin American music, had previously avoided political content.

“There was nothing political at all. We talked about kids and marriage, anecdotes and stuff like that,” explained Nicole, who is of Mexican and Israeli heritage.

After station management noticed her actions with the sticker, Nicole was called into a meeting where she says she faced hostile demands to change her show’s content.

“They expected me to support the Palestinian resistance. I asked them what that means because I didn’t want to make assumptions,” she said.

When pressed for clarification, management confirmed this included supporting the taking of hostages and denying Hamas had committed atrocities on October 7. Nicole said they insisted she would need to “discuss it on my show and join their rallies” to continue broadcasting.

“I respect their beliefs and I’m just asking for mine to be respected,” Nicole told them. When her husband asked if she could continue hosting while maintaining the show’s apolitical stance, management refused.

The confrontation became particularly distressing when Nicole attempted to explain the impact on the Jewish community.

“While I was telling them how this movement, what it’s done to the Jewish community, how it’s reminiscent of the Holocaust, how it’s been really uncomfortable, and we’re scared… they were laughing at me,” she said.

A female staff member, brought in as a witness, particularly antagonised Nicole.

“When I told her I don’t appreciate your laughter at my struggle and my emotions, that’s when she said, ‘I don’t appreciate your white woman tears,'” Nicole recounted.

The station subsequently emailed Nicole terminating her position, citing “safety” concerns – despite her maintaining a calm and respectful demeanour throughout the meeting.

Radio Skid Row receives public funding and, according to Nicole, hosts a program whose emblem mirrors that used by Hamas. She believes the station should face consequences for promoting divisiveness while receiving taxpayer support.

“If they’re going to be inciting hate and divisiveness, they shouldn’t be getting the funding from Sydney, from our taxes,” she said. “They should be held responsible… and be more monitored.”

Since speaking out about the incident, which occurred on a Friday morning, Nicole has received widespread support both in Australia and internationally.

“I’ve had incredible support from the Jewish community and non-Jewish community alike here in Australia, as well as back home [in Mexico],” she said.

For Nicole, the core issue transcends politics.

“This is not about talking about my political views or criticising any other views, it’s more just about finding respect in each other and finding a grey area in such a nuanced topic,” she explained.

“Because just because you’re pro something doesn’t mean you have to be anti something else. Everyone is suffering, and that’s not okay.”

Radio Skid Row has been contacted for comment.

Commenting on the matter – in a statement issued on December 26 – the president of Australia’s peak Jewish women’s organisation called out Radio Skid Row for sacking Nicole  – describing that decision as a “vile act of overt racism”.

National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (NCJWA) president Lynda Ben Menashe said, “It is time for government to examine its funding, with our taxpayer dollars, of racist hypocrites like Radio Skid Row, who clearly view Jewish women as soft targets”.

Ben Menashe noted that the station receives “almost 75% of its funding from government – in excess of $300,000 – including through the City of Sydney Council, and the Community Broadcasting Foundation”.

And it is located in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s electorate of Marrickville.

“It is time for such people to be prosecuted under the full force of Australia’s racial vilification and workplace safety laws,” she said.

“It is time for the Prime Minister to act on the Jew hatred in his own backyard, literally.

“This week Jewish people around the world celebrate our victory over cultural oppression by the Selucid Greek colonisers in the Land of Israel 23 centuries ago.

“Those colonisers tried to force the indigenous Jews there to renounce their Judaism in favour of Hellenism, and they lost.

“Radio Skid Row tried to force their Jewish volunteer to renounce her identity and beliefs in favour of their warped and un-Australian ‘values’, and they will lose too.

“We stand strong in the face of racism in any form. We oppose discrimination of any kind against any Australian.”

Get The AJN Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up