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Will Media Cover Jewish Comedians Canceled in the UK?

Once again, 'safety concerns' trump free speech rights in comedy circles

CBS’s firing of late-night star Stephen Colbert proved free speech is under direct attack.

Or so say media outlets giving the progressive host’s dismissal relentless coverage.

Too often left unsaid? Why would CBS willingly lose $40 million a year to keep “The Late Show” afloat?

We’d take the gnashing of teeth more seriously if these outlets cared about other free speech issues. Take the plight of Jewish artists, too often targeted post-October 7 should they share their talents in public.

All three have faced cancellations for either being Jewish, pro-Israel or both. Some suffered more extreme consequences.

Their situations have generated little attention in U.S. media circles. Even when a site covers their cancellations, it isn’t framed as a free speech matter.

Phelim McAleer’s “October 7” play required extensive security measures last year, another news story that slipped through the Legacy Media’s fingers.

It’s why we’re seeing almost zero U.S. media attention paid to the latest cancellations.

RELATED: BILL MAHER SCHOOLS COMIC ON FREE SPEECH

Jewish comedians Rachel Creeger and Philip Simon learned that their respective sets at next month’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival have been canceled.

Why? The festival allegedly had safety concerns due to their presence. That’s a nasty part of the modern-day Heckler’s Veto. Promise violence and the venue will back down. Pro-Palestinian protesters have a predilection for violence.

Simon shared news of a second, separate cancellation on his Instagram account.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Philip Simon (@philipscomedy)

This time, the venue didn’t cite violent threats as the reason for shutting down the gig. Instead, it disagreed with how Simon sees the current Israel/Palestinian divide.

The reason I was given is that my ”views concerning the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine…are in significant conflict with our venue’s stance against the current Israeli government’s policy and actions.”

So, a performer’s world view must align with the venue in question, or the show won’t go on?

Anyone who knows me will know I have never expressed support for anything other than freeing the hostages and finding a way for peace. It is sad to think that these views could conflict with anyone who wants to see a lasting peace in Gaza and Israel. As a Jewish person living in Britain it is possible, and increasingly common, to have a love for Israel without supporting the actions of the government.

Creeger and Simon told The Jewish Chronicle that these aren’t isolated incidents. Simon suggested that any other group targeted for cancellation would spark a public outcry, and rightly so.

“This would not happen to any other ethnic minority. There would be absolute outrage. The venue would be boycotted, shut down, never allowed to trade.”

Instead, it’s business as usual in 2025.

We’ll wait for Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and others who speak so much truth to power to start covering these stories in the manner they deserve.

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