UK comedian banned from Palestine Marathon over Israel show

British comedian Eddie Izzard is banned from running in the Palestine Marathon in and around Bethlehem for refusing cancel a show in Israel.

Izzard, known for his rambling monologues and cross-dressing, is due to perform in Tel Aviv tonight.

Palestine Marathon organizers say the comedian, who ran 27 marathons in 27 days for charity in 2016, is not welcome unless he cancels the gig.

I’m looking forward to performing in Tel Aviv, 30 March – https://t.co/pLEeDJfrwS – and running in the Palestine Marathon on the 31 March! pic.twitter.com/k4CAdIH9P1

— Eddie Izzard (@eddieizzard) March 28, 2017

“British comedian Eddie Izzard cannot run for freedom this Friday if he entertains in Tel Aviv on Thursday,” the race’s official Twitter site said. “We refuse to be used as a fig leaf to cover up Izzard’s whitewashing of Israel’s occupation and apartheid.”

The left-wing comedian tweeted earlier today that he was looking forward to running the marathon after the gig.

https://twitter.com/PalMarathon/status/847428507454070784

–AFP