The 2022 Sydney Festival kicks off on 6 January, but it will be without a number of productions and performers who have withdrawn from the festival in support of a boycott. More than 25 acts have now distanced themselves from the festival in protest over a $20,000 donation from Israel’s Australian embassy to support Sydney Dance Company’s production of Decadance, by Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin.

Decadance

Batsheva Dance Company performs Decadance. Photo © Gadi Dagon

Among the artists and organisations to withdraw from the festival are Bankstown-based street dance crew Hybrid Formz, South Asian dance company Bindi Bosses, comedians Nazeem Hussain and Tom Ballard, journalists and commentators including Amy McQuire, Yumi Stynes, and former NSW politician Meredith Burgmann.

In addition, a number of events have chosen to go ahead but withdraw themselves from the festival. Two events taking place at...