Real Housewives of Sydney personality Caroline Gaultier has become involved in controversy after footage emerged of a heated confrontation at a popular Sydney pub involving her friend, socialite Kelly McNamara, and a group of Jewish men.
The incident reportedly occurred at the Golden Sheaf Hotel in Double Bay, where Gaultier and McNamara became involved in an increasingly tense verbal exchange with the men during a night out. Parts of the confrontation were captured on mobile phones as both sides recorded the encounter.
According to accounts from those involved, the dispute began after McNamara allegedly touched or pulled at the tzitzit worn by one of the men and asked him what the strings were. Tzitzit are religious fringes traditionally worn by observant Jewish men.
The man reportedly explained the religious significance of the garment, but the interaction subsequently developed into an argument. Allegations concerning antisemitism were raised during the confrontation, something both Gaultier and McNamara have strongly rejected.
Footage obtained and reviewed by The Sunday Telegraph reportedly shows the two sides exchanging comments while filming one another. Gaultier can also be seen recording the men during the dispute.
As tensions increased, venue staff became involved. The men involved in the incident said the women ultimately left before police arrived at the hotel.
McNamara has disputed suggestions that her behaviour was motivated by antisemitism. She characterised her initial interaction with the man’s religious garment as curiosity and said she had simply asked about the strings after noticing them.
She also claimed the venue asked the women to leave because they appeared intoxicated rather than because staff believed they had engaged in antisemitic behaviour. McNamara maintained that the situation had been misunderstood and rejected the accusations made against her.
Gaultier has also pushed back strongly against the allegations arising from the footage. She described the accusations as false and argued that comments attributed to her had been mischaracterised.
The reality television personality additionally sought to redirect attention towards what she alleged were concerns about illegal drug activity at the venue. She indicated she would not continue responding to claims based on statements she says she did not make.
The emergence of the footage has nevertheless put the confrontation under public scrutiny because of Gaultier’s profile as a cast member of The Real Housewives of Sydney and the sensitive nature of the allegations raised during the exchange.
With competing accounts of what happened inside the Double Bay venue, both Gaultier and McNamara maintain that the incident has been portrayed inaccurately and deny that their actions were motivated by antisemitism.
