DJ Under Australian Antisemitism Investigation Scheduled for UK Performances This Month
An American DJ currently under police investigation in Australia for allegedly using antisemitic language during a recent art festival appearance is set to perform in the United Kingdom this month. This development occurs despite the high-profile ban of rapper Kanye West from entering Britain over similar concerns regarding antisemitism.
Controversial Festival Remarks Spark Police Inquiry
DJ Haram, whose legal name is Zubeyda Muzeyyen, is scheduled to perform at Phonox in London and the Supersonic Festival in May. Her upcoming UK engagements have ignited significant controversy, particularly in the wake of the Wireless Festival dispute involving Kanye West's barred entry.
The controversy stems from a speech Muzeyyen delivered at the Sydney Biennale art festival on March 13. During her performance, she criticised civilian casualties in Gaza and dedicated her set to pro-Palestinian activists. In her remarks, she stated: 'It is our duty to oppose the vile Zio-Australian-Epstein empire.'
Formal Complaint and Allegations of Hate Speech
The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies reported Muzeyyen's monologue to police on March 17, urging an investigation into what they described as antisemitic comments. The group's president, David Ossip, asserted that the festival organisers faced 'serious questions to answer' regarding how the event became a platform for such rhetoric.
In an official statement, Ossip declared: 'References to the Zio-Australian-Epstein empire are pure antisemitism. The fact that this dangerous rhetoric was propagated on the stage of an event which received significant NSW Government funding is scandalous.'
Police Letter Details Incitement Concerns
A letter to police, signed by Ossip, alleged that Muzeyyen's remarks could incite hatred and advocate terrorism. It cited her on-stage declarations of 'long live the resistance' and 'glory to all our martyrs'. The letter argued that such language is frequently associated with organisations listed as terrorist groups under Australian law, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah.
The group further contended that the term 'Zio' is a derogatory term directed at Zionists in Australia and is commonly used as a pejorative reference to Jewish supporters of Israel. They added that Muzeyyen's speech appeared to promote a conspiratorial narrative suggesting malign influence by Jewish Australians through the reference to Epstein, a convicted child abuser.
Australian Officials and Community Leaders Respond
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, dismissed Muzeyyen's music as coming from 'a DJ no one has ever heard of' and noted her set was drowned out by her slogans. He stated: 'What is surprising is that the Biennale is happy to platform such lame antics. It is no wonder donors, patrons and sponsors are deserting cultural institutions and the arts is now desperately underfunded.'
Jillian Segal, Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism in Australia, emphasised: 'No community should feel unwelcome or targeted at publicly funded cultural events.'
Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, described Muzeyyen's comments as 'horrid rhetoric' and 'distressing', particularly following the Bondi beach attack in December. However, he ruled out cutting government funding for the art festival, which received nearly $3.2 million in 2024, despite condemnation from Jewish groups.
The Biennale organisers stated on Monday that it would be 'inappropriate to comment' on an internal investigation regarding the incident.
Contrast with Kanye West's UK Entry Ban
This situation unfolds against the backdrop of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood banning controversial rapper Kanye West, also known as Ye, from entering Britain to perform at the Wireless Festival in July. The ban was issued on grounds that his presence would 'not be conducive to the public good'.
West had been scheduled to headline Wireless, but the festival has since been cancelled entirely amid the backlash. Calls for his removal grew after a series of antisemitic outbursts, including releasing a song titled Heil Hitler and posing in a swastika T-shirt.
Sir Keir Starmer insisted West 'should never have been invited to headline Wireless' and affirmed he 'stands firmly with the Jewish community' against antisemitism. The 48-year-old rapper applied for an Electronic Travel Authorisation but was denied entry, leading organisers to cancel the event and issue refunds to all ticketholders.
A festival spokesperson previously noted: 'As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking YE and no concerns were highlighted at the time. Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had. As Ye said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and in spite of this still hopes to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the UK.'
