A Philadelphia DJ, known as DJ Haram and also by her real name Zubeyda Muzeyyen, is currently under police investigation in New South Wales for alleged antisemitic comments made during a speech at the Sydney Biennale on 13 March. Despite this, she remains booked for upcoming UK shows, including a London Phonox gig and the Supersonic Festival in May.
This situation has intensified public outrage, especially following the UK Home Secretary’s decision to deny entry to rapper Kanye West over similar hate speech concerns. West’s antisemitic remarks led to the cancellation of the Wireless Festival and his ban from the UK.
New South Wales police are examining Muzeyyen’s remarks, which included criticism of civilian deaths in Gaza and references to the “vile Zio-Australian-Epstein empire.” During her set, she dedicated her performance to pro-Palestinian activists, shouting slogans such as “long live the resistance” and “glory to all our martyrs.”
The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies reported her comments to the police, describing them as “pure antisemitism.” David Ossip, the Board’s president, condemned the government-backed festival for providing a platform for such hateful rhetoric.
The police complaint notes that terms like “martyrdom” and “resistance” are often used as jihadi propaganda by terrorist organizations banned in Australia, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah. The term “Zio” is identified as a slur targeting Zionists, typically Jewish supporters of Israel, while the Epstein reference is linked to conspiracy theories about Jewish Australian influence.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described the remarks as “horrid rhetoric” and “distressing,” particularly in light of the December Bondi attack. However, he declined to cancel the Sydney Biennale, which received nearly $3.2 million in government funding.
Political reactions have varied. Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry dismissed DJ Haram as “a DJ no one has ever heard of” whose music was “drowned out by slogans,” questioning why such “lame antics” are supported while cultural donors withdraw.
In contrast, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned Kanye West’s invitation to headline the Wireless Festival as a mistake, affirming his support for the Jewish community and backing Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s decision to block West’s entry. West had sparked outrage with songs titled “Heil Hitler” and by wearing swastika imagery.
Despite this, DJ Haram’s scheduled UK performances have not been canceled, prompting critics to accuse authorities of a double standard in addressing antisemitism within the entertainment industry.
Originally published by UKNIP.
