Eastern suburbs socialite Kelly McNamara has issued a statement after being filmed in a confrontation with two Jewish men at Double Bay's Golden Sheaf Hotel.
McNamara, owner of beauty salon Longevity Lounge Aesthetics, was recorded alongside former Real Housewives of Sydney star Caroline Gaultier during a heated verbal exchange at the pub on New South Head Road last week. Footage showed one of the women reaching out and pulling on tzitzit, the ritual fringes worn by observant Jewish males, hanging from the clothing of one patron.
The encounter, published by the Sunday Telegraph, left the men visibly uncomfortable and attracted venue staff. McNamara was filmed asking the men: "So you dibby-dobbed because I asked you what your strings were?" while Gaultier allegedly called out "Satan's little helpers" as she walked away. One patron subsequently reported the incident to the Australian Jewish Association.
Double Bay is an affluent suburb in Sydney's eastern suburbs, where the Golden Sheaf Hotel operates as a prominent multi-level venue. Tzitzit are traditional knotted ritual fringes attached to garments worn by observant Jewish men.
Socialite rejects claims of antisemitism
Following public reaction, McNamara provided a statement to the Daily Mail maintaining that she would not back down or apologize for her actions. "I am not apologising for events that were falsely framed as antisemitism," she said, addressing criticism she reported receiving after the video surfaced.
McNamara insisted the situation escalated solely because she and Gaultier "refused further conversation" with the patrons. She stated the men were not refused entry, denied service, or excluded from the venue, but were rather "refused further conversation by a television personality and a socialite."
"Since when did anyone become entitled to another person's time, attention or conversation?" McNamara added. She also dismissed the significance of touching the ritual fringes, saying: "A socialite asking about the raggedy strings hanging from someone's pants is not evidence of antisemitism."
She further argued: "Being rejected, dismissed or having a conversation ended is not evidence of antisemitism." The Daily Mail noted that it does not suggest the exchange was antisemitic or that McNamara's actions constituted antisemitism.
Vehicle choices and religious beliefs cited
McNamara's defense statement extended into a series of rhetorical comparisons involving her personal vehicles and lifestyle preferences. "I drive German cars. I own an AMG Mercedes and a weekender 1955 Volkswagen Beetle. Does that make me anti-Jewish?" she asked.
She continued: "I prefer GAS over electric vehicles. Is that antisemitism? I am Christian and believe Christ is King. Is that antisemitism? I prefer candlelight to fluorescent lights. Is that antisemitism? I prefer chocolate to rum ice cream. Is this also antisemitic?"
The Daily Mail clarified that it does not suggest any of the examples cited in her statement serve as evidence of antisemitism.
References to Robert Maxwell and media control
McNamara's statement later referenced late British media proprietor Robert Maxwell, who was Jewish, while arguing that public narratives can be manipulated by media organizations. "History has always been recorded, edited, reframed and retold through the lens of whoever holds the pen, the platform or the publishing power," she said.
"Robert Maxwell's publishing empire is a useful reminder of just how much influence can sit behind the information people consume," she added. While stating she was "not here to repeat internet mythology" regarding Maxwell, she argued that "control of information creates influence."
"I understand the agenda. I can see when a story is being shaped. And I am not going to participate in rewriting a simple social interaction into something it was not," McNamara said.
Concluding her response, she stated: "Two men were refused further conversation. That is the fact. Everything beyond that requires evidence." She added that while genuine antisemitism should be condemned, elevating every disagreement dilutes the accusation and diminishes real prejudice.
McNamara stated she was "tired of being targeted, misrepresented and publicly labelled on the basis of a narrative rather than evidence," adding: "A headline does not become history because it is printed. A narrative does not become fact because it is repeated. And an allegation does not become truth because someone has an agenda for it to be true."
Former co-star Dr Kate Adams weighs in
The controversy surrounding the Golden Sheaf incident prompted response from Dr Kate Adams, a former cast member of Real Housewives of Sydney. Dr Adams, director of Bondi Vet, had a notoriously bitter relationship with Gaultier during their time on the reality program.
Dr Adams described Gaultier as "a very sad person" who is "well known for her attention-seeking behaviour." Speaking to the Daily Mail, she added: "I'm not surprised to see [Gaultier] implicated in conflict."
Dr Adams also claimed that Gaultier's conduct contributed to the show's cancellation. "I believe she was a large reason behind the demise and non-renewal of Real Housewives of Sydney because of this kind of behaviour," Dr Adams said.
Real Housewives of Sydney is an Australian reality television series detailing the personal lives of several Sydney women, including Dr Kate Adams, Nicole O'Neil, Caroline Gaultier, and Krissy Marsh. Bondi Vet is an Australian factual television series focused on veterinary surgeons in Sydney.
