Monty Python actor denies Israel shows canceled over BDS

British comedian John Cleese says two performances in Israel were rescheduled, not cancelled, amid concerns over his safety as the actor offers to perform for free.

By World Israel News Staff

British comedian and actor John Cleese, best known as a member of the Monty Python comedy troupe, pushed back Tuesday on accusations that he canceled two upcoming performances in Israel as a form of criticism of the Jewish state.

On Monday, the Israeli production company involved in promoting Cleese’s shows slated for later this month in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv announced the comedian had canceled the planned appearances after bowing to pressure from the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

The announcement fueled speculation that Cleese’s recent social media posts reflected a reversal of his past support for Israel.

Cleese has posted a flurry of anti-Israel messages to his X account in recent months, including false and misleading content reposted from antisemitic accounts.

On Tuesday, for instance, he reposted a comment falsely accusing IDF soldiers of having “raped to death a Palestinian detainee.”

Two days earlier, he reposted a comment that appeared to show a headline from The Jerusalem Post suggesting that Israel is poised to legalize pedophilia.

Other posts accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “endangering” Jews around the world and rejected accusations of antisemitism lodged against prominent critics of Israel.

Last week, Cleese wrote that the Israeli military is “evil,” after reposting a comment from a Hamas-aligned journalist in Gaza.

“John Cleese not welcome in Israel,” the Betar Zionist activist group wrote on X last week, calling on the Israeli government to deny the actor entry.

“Now, to chase a paycheck, he plans shows Nov. 26–Dec. 1 in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Betar will protest inside and outside every venue. We also urge the Israeli government to refuse him a visa.

“Cleese calls our leaders ‘criminals’ and says he ‘won’t take sides’ — while equating terrorists and their victims. That’s not neutrality. That’s cowardice.”

However, Cleese denied that he had nixed his two shows in Israel as a political statement, adding that the performances were merely delayed, citing security concerns.

“Contrary to the claims made by Alon Yurik Productions last night – which were subsequently reported – I am having to reschedule my shows in Israel planned for later this month following advice about safety,” Cleese said, adding that he is willing to drop his appearance fee.

“At 86, that is obviously all important. I will rearrange these shows as soon as it’s possible – and I would be happy to perform without receiving any fee. I am hugely fond of Israeli audiences and send my sincere apologies to all the people who bought tickets.”