Sydney Swans alter tribute speech to remove Jewish community reference after Bondi attack
Consensus Summary
The Sydney Swans altered a pre-match tribute script on March 5 to remove references to the Jewish community during a ceremony honoring victims of the Bondi terror attack, sparking controversy and multiple apologies. The change was revealed after former Swans player Gerard Healy disclosed the original script included a line acknowledging the Jewish community, which was later omitted. Senator James Paterson referred the AFL to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, alleging the league may have influenced the decision, though the Swans insisted the change was made internally as an 'error of judgment.' AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon denied prior knowledge of the script contents, while Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich took full responsibility, admitting the oversight was about inclusivity but unintentionally excluded the Jewish community. The incident has drawn criticism from Paterson, who called it a failure to recognize the attack’s antisemitic nature, while the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies defended the Swans’ intentions. The royal commission’s investigation into antisemitism may now examine the AFL’s role in the matter, though the Swans and AFL maintain the change was not directed by league officials.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Sydney Swans changed a pre-match tribute script on March 5 at the Sydney Cricket Ground to remove references to the Jewish community during a ceremony honoring Bondi terror attack victims and first responders.
- Matthew Pavlich, Swans chief executive and former player, delivered the speech at the ceremony between Sydney Swans and Carlton on March 5, 2024.
- Gerard Healy, former Swans player and journalist, revealed the script was initially supposed to include the phrase 'We stand with the Jewish community' but was altered.
- Senator James Paterson referred the AFL to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, alleging the league may have been involved in the script change.
- The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion began last month with an interim report due by April 30, 2024.
- Andrew Dillon, AFL chief executive, stated he was not aware of the script contents before the event and called the tribute appropriate.
- The Swans issued multiple apologies, stating the change was an 'error of judgment' and was made internally by the club, not directed by the AFL.
- The ceremony included survivors of the Bondi attack, such as Ahmed Al Ahmed, and first responders like Rabbi Mendy Litzman from Hatzolah.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Senator James Paterson specifically mentioned the AFL's past embrace of contentious political causes like the Voice referendum to contrast with the Bondi tribute incident.
- Former Swans great Gerard Healy claimed he spoke to Swans chairman Andrew Pridham about the script change but was unsure who made the decision.
- ABC included a quote from AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon saying, 'I don’t know exactly the ins and outs of scripts and the like,' during an SEN radio interview.
- ABC reported that the Swans' statement emphasized the focus was on 'recognising those people present on the field on the night,' including survivors and first responders.
- The Guardian noted that the Swans' statement attempted to absolve the AFL of blame after the royal commission referral, emphasizing the club's internal decision-making.
- The Guardian included a direct quote from Senator Paterson saying, 'It would be ridiculous and weird to have any sort of acknowledgment that didn’t recognise the fact that it was an attack on Jewish Australians.'
- The Guardian reported that the AFL boss, Andrew Dillon, did not clarify whether league staff were involved in editing the tribute script during a radio interview.
- The Age included a quote from Senator Paterson stating, 'Erasing their Jewish identity... is a travesty and an insult to the families of the victims,' emphasizing the significance of the attack occurring during Chanukah.
- The Age reported that Rabbi Mendy Litzman from Hatzolah praised the Swans for providing kosher food and treating the group as VIPs, including welcoming them into the locker room.
- The Age mentioned that the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies rejected Paterson’s request for the royal commission to scrutinize the Swans, calling the tribute 'motivated by the purest of intent.'
- The Age included a quote from Pavlich saying, 'We were workshopping it, clearly, and as I said, it was about trying to be as inclusive as we could for many people affected as of the tragedy of 14 December.'
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- ABC and The Guardian report that the Swans' initial script included 'We stand with the Jewish community,' but The Age does not explicitly state this exact phrasing was used in the original draft.
- The Guardian and The Age highlight Senator Paterson’s criticism of the AFL’s handling of the tribute, but ABC focuses more on Paterson’s broader claims about the AFL’s cultural failures rather than the specific script change.
- The Age reports that Rabbi Mendy Litzman praised the Swans extensively and did not criticize the script, while ABC and The Guardian do not include this level of detail about the Jewish community’s reaction beyond general support.
- The Guardian and The Age emphasize the Swans’ apology and internal ownership of the mistake, but ABC includes additional context about Gerard Healy’s uncertainty about who made the decision to change the script, which is not mentioned in the other sources.
- The Age notes that the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies rejected Paterson’s request for royal commission scrutiny, while ABC and The Guardian do not provide this specific counterpoint from the Jewish community.
Source Articles
‘Error of judgment’: Swans admit to script change before pre-game Bondi tribute
Sydney have admitted to changing the script of a pre-game tribute to victims of the Bondi terror attack to remove reference to the Jewish community, saying the AFL was not involved.
Sydney Swans admit to altering Bondi attack tribute to omit mention of Jewish community
Club apologises again for ‘error of judgment’ on opening night Swans say there was no directive from AFL to make change to script The Sydney Swans have again apologised for the club’s “error of judgment” that resulted in the Jewish community not being mentioned in the AFL’s opening round pre-match tribute to victims of the Bondi terror attack. In a statement on Monday, the club attempted to absolve the AFL of any blame after the league was referred to the royal commission on antisemitism and soc
Sydney Swans take responsibility for Bondi tribute script change
The club says it takes full responsibility for a script change that removed references to the Jewish community during an opening round tribute to Bondi victims.
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