Jewish Community Questions ABC's Handling of Sydney Harbour Bridge Tribute
Members of Australia's Jewish community have expressed significant disappointment with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Their criticism follows the broadcaster's coverage of the New Year's Eve fireworks in Sydney, during which a giant menorah projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge was reportedly 'invisible' to television audiences.
The projection was intended as a tribute, honouring the 15 people who died during a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach earlier in the year. The campaign for this visual symbol was led by more than 30 cultural figures, including singer Deborah Conway and documentary filmmaker Danny Ben-Moshe.
'An Invisible Menorah': Broadcast Sparks Confusion
When the moment arrived during the globally televised celebrations, viewers were left puzzled. The menorah projection, which was displayed on the bridge's pylons, appeared to be missing from the ABC's broadcast feed. Social media reactions were swift, with one observer noting, 'It's on the pylon - impossible to see and ABC did not show it at all,' while another quipped about 'the invisible menorah'.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, award-winning filmmaker Danny Ben-Moshe described the tribute as a 'very touching moment' but questioned the production decisions. 'I'm still left wondering why there was no camera turned on to get a tight shot of the menorah,' he stated. 'Surely that would be the most obvious and appropriate thing to do? That's what that minute of silence was about.'
Mr Ben-Moshe emphasised he did not believe the oversight was hateful, but was concerned about a lack of thoughtful consideration. He argued that the Jewish community deserved greater visibility in the planning of such major public events.
Calls for Consultation and Symbolic Recognition
The issue highlighted a broader concern about consultation. Violinist Ben Adler, director of the Australian Jewish Music Festival, revealed he had offered to advise the City of Sydney Council on the projection's design. He suggested using a seven-branch candelabra, a more widely recognised symbol, rather than the nine-branch menorah. However, he claims he received no reply until the day of the event, when he was told it was too late for consultation.
'It's common practice for cultural minorities to be consulted whenever mainstream or global bodies present their culture,' Mr Adler said. 'We don't seek special treatment... What we seek is just to be treated the same as any other minority in the country.'
He stressed the importance of the community's ownership of the narrative, stating: 'The Bondi attack is our story... It was clearly an attack against us, and it's our story to be told, and so it should be told with our symbol.'
ABC and Council Respond to the Criticism
In response to the criticism, an ABC spokesperson defended the broadcast, describing the tribute as a 'powerful and emotional moment'. The spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'The Bondi terrorist attack was a shocking and traumatic event for Australia and especially for the Jewish community. The broadcast included a tribute honouring the victims of the attack that included a projection of the Menorah.'
A City of Sydney spokesperson focused on the impact of the 'Moment of Unity', saying: 'To hear only silence and see only a sea of white lights across the harbour, made for a particularly special and respectful moment.' They confirmed the menorah was projected onto the four sandstone pylons as the harbour glowed white.
Despite the explanations, community leaders like Danny Ben-Moshe see the episode as a missed opportunity. 'I think it's an opportunity missed. I don't think it was missed for malicious reasons, but that doesn't make it unproblematic,' he concluded, expressing a hope for better future collaboration with both the Council and the national broadcaster.
