Jewish Artist Speaks Out After Private Chat Leak

The topic is about Royal Commissions.

The article was published on Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 1:04pm.

It was updated on Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 4:52pm.

Nina Sanadze told a royal commission that she was 'cancelled' after a private chat group was leaked.

Here is a short summary:

People from the arts and creative industry are giving evidence at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

Artist Nina Sanadze said she was 'cancelled' after calling the terrorist group Hamas 'animals'.

Her messages were leaked from a private chat group in early 2024.

A Jewish Australian artist said she was 'cancelled' and lost friends after a private message was leaked.

The royal commission is looking at how education and training can stop hate.

The inquiry heard that many creatives had their information leaked in the doxxing of a private chat group in 2024.

Nina Sanadze helped collect flowers after the Bondi attack.

Nina Sanadze told the inquiry about a private message where she called Hamas 'animals' after an attack in Israel.

She said she was immediately 'dropped' from friendship groups and her art studio.

She had planned to leave the studio due to rising antisemitic sentiment.

She said 'let me leave', but they were concerned it would look antisemitic.

Ms Sanadze said she was questioned about her political beliefs after the doxxing event.

She opened the Goldstone Gallery in 2025 for artists like her to exhibit.

The gallery hosted public events and discussions between Palestinian and Israeli women.

The gallery is now closed because Jewish artists are afraid to show their work.

There is no funding or security, making it hard for artists.

Artists are scared to exhibit due to fear and reputational damage.

Nina Sanadze helped collect floral tributes after a shooting.

A vigil was set up at Bondi Pavilion after the terror attack.

The flowers are being used for an exhibition at the Sydney Jewish Museum.

The flowers show support and cohesion for the Jewish community.

They symbolize empathy and standing together.

A comedian was told he didn't 'look Jewish'.

A Jewish comedian spoke to the inquiry using a pseudonym.

He was told he didn't experience antisemitism because he didn't 'look Jewish'.

He asked what 'Jewish' looks like, and if it's about having horns.

He said his synagogue was set on fire, and his workplace was firebombed.

A witness felt fear and shame after an attack in 2023.

The comedian's peers helped him when he started to isolate himself.

A comic with a Muslim background reached out and offered him a spot at a gig.

The comedian said he felt like Jewish blood is cheap to people.

The other comic said the Muslim community feels the same.

They made each other laugh, which is what the arts industry should be about.

This is an example of the best of the industry.

There is a consolidation of fear within the creative community.

Rabbi Alon Meltzer gave evidence on behalf of Shalom Collective.

The doxxing event marked a turning point for Jewish creatives.

There was a feeling that the world had changed for them.

Rabbi Meltzer said the collective's events attracted criticism.

A Jewish poetry exhibition was vandalized by a social media influencer.

The collective presented a play at the Sydney Opera House, which was subject to online abuse.

The play was about the Holocaust, but some said it was Zionist propaganda.

The way Shalom Collective organizes events has changed since the Bondi Beach shooting.

Now, security needs are considered first when planning events.

An open-air food festival had to be relocated due to security concerns.

The acting head of Creative Australia was questioned about the organization's policies.

Creative Australia has been involved in controversies, including the removal of an artist.

Grant recipients must comply with laws and policies.

The acting CEO was questioned about how Creative Australia handles complaints.

He said they would refer complaints to the police or relevant authority.

Counsel assisting Zelie Heger SC pressed the CEO on the issue.

She asked about policies for the period between a complaint and a court decision.

The CEO said he didn't recall specific wording in their policies.

More on the royal commission is available.

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