Faimly patriarch John Gandel, 90, is a prolific property developer, best known for owning Australia's largest shopping centre, Chadstone. He is also the head of the Gandel Foundation, which makes large donations to community assets – including the NGV.
The gallery has received several million dollars from the foundation, drawing ire from activists due to the family’s vocal support for Zionism.
At the time of the October 7 attacks, John Gandel called on the the IDF to go “all out” in its response. “There’s sort of no choice," he claimed. "If they don’t go all out it means they withdraw. They can’t do it gently."
The foundation also partially finances Australia's birthright program, which is managed by the Zionist Federation of Australia, providing young people with free trips to Israel.
Adam Ognall, CEO of the Gandel Foundation, told the Sydney Morning Herald: “The family is very proud [of its] long partnership and connection with NGV. [It has a] long-term well-documented relationship with NGV and other cultural institutions in Melbourne.”
When asked if that support would be continuing, he answered simply: “Yes.”
