Baddiel: Double standards in treatment of cancelled Jewish comedians
Author of 'Jews Don't Count' says Edinburgh Fringe venue's removal of shows by Rachel Creeger and Philip Simon shows 'reflex conflation of British Jews with Israel'
David Baddiel has weighed into the controversy surrounding the treatment of two Jewish comedians whose shows were cancelled by an Edinburgh Fringe festival venue over safety claims.
As reported by Jewish News, Rachel Creeger and Phillip Simon were abruptly told last Friday that their bookings, at a theatre they had used for many years, had been removed citing staff feeling “unsafe” with the additional security measures in place due to concerns over threats to Jewish acts.
In a post to his Instagram social media account on Wednesday, fellow comedian Baddiel, author of Jews Don’t Count, stated: “It is hard to escape the feeling that there is a double standard at play with how Simon and Creeger have been treated.” 
David Baddiel, screenshot: InstagramHe added that the duo are “just two British Jewish comedians doing shows from their British, Jewish perspective. Not shows supportive, or even about, the state of Israel.”
He suggested that the decision by the Whistle Binkies music venue “due to a conflict 4,000 miles away (or because of a fear of protests related to that conflict)” are expressive only of “a reflex conflation of British Jews with Israel.”
Baddiel makes the point that should a venue pull a performance by comedian and TV presenter Romesh Ranganathan “because of an assumption that, as someone of Hindu heritage, he represents the anti-Muslim policies of the Modi Government, that would be straightforwardly seen as racist. But somehow with Jews, not so much.”
The Scottish Government spokesperson responded to a request from Jewish News for comment saying that “There is no place in Scotland’s civic and cultural life for any form of hatred, antisemitism or islamophobia.
“While venues are responsible for their own bookings, the Scottish Government fully supports individuals’ rights to freedom of expression and we are clear that there is no place for any form of discrimination or prejudice in Scotland.
“From the outset of the conflict, the Scottish Government has repeatedly called for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire by all sides and an urgent increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. We condemned Hamas’ barbaric attacks on 7 October and have called for the immediate release of hostages. The Scottish Government supports a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace.
“We deeply value our relationships with Scotland’s diverse faith and belief communities, including our Jewish communities, and welcome their contributions which enrich our nation’s civic life. Ministers and officials regularly engage with the Jewish community on a range of issues and will continue to do so.”
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