Cancelled Israeli kinesiologist reinstated at MindBodySpirit Festival

UPDATED: The MindBodySpirit Festival has reinstated Melbourne-based Israeli kinesiologist Sharon Tal after initially excluding after a campaign by ostensibly pro-Palestinian activists.

Tal, who has practised kinesiology for 25 years and exhibited at the festival for almost a decade, was told earlier this week that her appearance had been cancelled.

But festival organisers said in a statement on Thursday morning that after careful consideration and following consultation with venue and security personnel, “We are pleased to be reinstating Sharon Tal as a participant in our upcoming Melbourne Festival program.

“We greatly value our longstanding relationship with Sharon Tal and her significant contributions to our festivals, and we sincerely regret the distress caused by our prior decision to remove her from the program,” they said. “We would emphasise this decision was made with the best of intentions and was not based on religion, ethnicity, or personal beliefs.

“We are confident, however, that the security precautions we have in place will allow us to stage a safe, harmonious and respectful experience for our staff, exhibitors and Festival attendees.”

Caulfield MP David Southwick had written to Victoria’s Police Minister demanding an investigation after Tal was cancelled.

Tal was scheduled to speak on the main stage three times and conduct stress management workshops before her cancellation over a WIZO charity lecture she gave nine years ago.

Southwick, who is the shadow Minster for Police, said, “It is unacceptable that a professional has been cancelled out of an event simply for being Jewish. This cannot be tolerated, and a full investigation must take place.”

He told The AJN that the Government and Victoria Police must act to ensure such bullying and intimidation has no place in Victoria.

The cancellation came after festival organisers received a complaint from Byron Bay psychic Talitha Mitchell, who objected to WIZO being mentioned in Tal’s speaker biography.

“She has a big problem with you, because you’re a Zionist. You had WIZO written on your biography,” Tal recounted being told by festival staff on Monday.

She said Festival organisers phones were subsequently flooded with calls from the Northern Rivers for Palestine group demanding Tal’s removal.

“They said that there will be protests. They said that they will make a lot of mess outside of the expo if I will be there. They threatened the staff, and they threatened my life if I’ll be there,” Tal said.

Festival organisers subsequently contacted Tal suggesting she voluntarily withdraw for safety reasons.

“It was like, perhaps for the safety of everyone, it’s best if you will cancel your participation,” Tal recalled.

“That’s my livelihood, and we cannot give in to fear.”

Tal described the festival participation as “a very big part of my yearly income” representing an investment of over $10,000”.

“They’ve caved into fear. I said, go to the police, get extra guards,” she said.

A MindBodySpirit Festival spokesperson said the festival must remain “a welcoming and safe space” and that “MBS is not a suitable platform for political rhetoric, and this is considered a breach of our exhibitor guidelines.”

When The AJN asked what “political rhetoric” Tal had engaged in, the festival declined further comment.

In their cancellation email, festival organisers wrote the decision was made “in light of recent developments, where your involvement has unfortunately attracted significant public reaction” and could “pose a risk to the safety and wellbeing of not only our staff and visitors but also yourself.”

Tal maintains she has done nothing wrong.

“I have done nothing. I have said nothing, literally, I don’t even know that person [Talitha Mitchell],” she said.

When asked why she was cancelled, Tal responded, “Just fear. I love the staff, the staff love me. It’s very sad for me, that part, but I understand their fear.”

Tal, who has lived in Australia for 26 years, believes she was targeted simply for being Jewish and Israeli.

Co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), Peter Wertheim agreed.

“The Festival organisers have been quoted as saying they cancelled the participation of Ms Tal based on the false and spurious claim that she has engaged in “political rhetoric”.  She has done no such thing, and even if she had, this action would be a violation of her right to freedom of expression”.

Wertheim said  the festival organisers have made a mockery of their own values of diversity and inclusion by “cravenly bowing to an orchestrated smear campaign.”

“It is difficult to escape the conclusion that Ms Tal has been discriminated against simply for being Jewish and participating in the life of the Australian Jewish community”.

The response from the Jewish community has been “amazing, overwhelmingly hugging and supportive,” according to Tal, who said several people have offered legal assistance.

Despite the setback, Tal said she would not seek reinstatement.

“We shall not be bullied for anything, for anything or anyone. We must not fall into the threats of bullying.”

The MindBodySpirit Festival runs from Friday to Monday at the Melbourne Convention Centre.

Festival organisers have confirmed they will refund Tal’s payments.

The AJN has reached out to Talitha Mitchell, but she has not responded.