British comedian John Cleese denies Israel show cancellations had anything to do with BDS

11 November 2025, 4:33 pm

2 Edit

John Cleese in a May 2023 interview about King Charles' coronation (Screenshot: GBNews/YouTube)

British comedian and actor John Cleese pushes back on his Israeli production company’s claim that he canceled upcoming performances in Israel due to threats from the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against the Jewish state.

“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. At 86, that is obviously all important,” Cleese writes on X.

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