Major sponsor PwC pulls out of Biennale after DJ’s antisemitic chants

PwC has withdrawn its sponsorship and association from the Biennale of Sydney following controversy over antisemitic and antizionist remarks during the festival’s opening night on Friday.

The decision stems from a performance by US electronic music producer DJ Haram (real name Zubeyda Muzeyyen) at White Bay Power Station. Within hours of the event’s start, she led chants including “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “long live the resistance”; praised “martyrs” with “glory to all our martyrs”; accused Australia of complicity in an “ongoing genocide by Israel”; and referenced a “Zio-Australian-Epstein empire”.

Jewish community leaders condemned the rhetoric as antisemitic. NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip called the “Zio-Australian-Epstein empire” reference “pure antisemitism” and described celebrating “martyrs” or “the resistance” as support for terrorism. He added, “It took less than three hours after the start of the Biennale for our concerns to be completely vindicated.” He said the board had “serious questions to answer” about allowing the festival to become a platform for hate.

As previously reported, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies had raised pre-event concerns with organisers, including declining a preview invitation over worries about antisemitic views among artists and the lack of Jewish perspectives in the 2026 programme. The incident has heightened tensions following the December 2025 Bondi terror attack, which killed 15 at a Chanukah event.

PwC Australia’s association with the Sydney Biennale festival.” The firm condemned the comments, rejected antisemitism and all forms of hate, requested removal of its branding, and cancelled associated events, citing failure to meet expectations of a “welcoming and inclusive” environment.

The Biennale confirmed PwC’s withdrawal and said a review is underway. A spokesperson added: “The views expressed by the performer were entirely her own and do not represent the views of the Biennale of Sydney, our board, or our government and corporate partners. The Biennale of Sydney does not tolerate antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism or any form of hate speech. Our core mission is to be a unifying force and provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for all audiences.”

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin welcomed PwC’s decision, saying the firm had shown leadership by distancing itself from what he described as a “vicious performance” that glorified violence and targeted the Jewish community.

“The way we repel hatred is not only through laws and government action; it needs to be led by personal responsibility and individuals and institutions setting a standard and sticking to it. Australians will rightly question why public funds and prestigious platforms for arts and culture are being used to attack and endanger Jewish Australians. PwC has demonstrated these repugnant actions can and will have consequences. Our community is grateful to them.” he said.

PwC stated, “It is with disappointment that we share that we have decided to withdraw

NSW Police have been asked to urgently investigate the remarks, with calls for potential visa action against the performer. NSW Premier Chris Minns described the rhetoric as “horrid” and “distressing” but ruled out cutting public funding. He warned that arts organisations cannot rely on taxpayer support to offset lost private sponsors.

Concerns extend beyond the performance to artist selection, governance, and the apparent absence of Jewish voices in the program curated by Hoor Al Qasimi, the daughter of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, the long-time ruler of the UAE.

The Biennale receives significant NSW ($1.6 million) and federal ($879,000) funding and emphasises freedom of expression without endorsing artists’ views.

Critics argue curatorial responsibility applies, especially for publicly funded events. For many in the Jewish community, this tests whether major institutions can set clear boundaries against rhetoric crossing into antisemitism.