SECOND Fringe venue drops Jewish comedian – with ‘Palestine’ given as excuse
Philip Simon told his views were in conflict with the venue, despite having 'never expressed support for anything other than freeing the hostages and finding a way for peace'
A Jewish comedian has been dropped by a second Edinburgh Fringe venue which claimed it was due to his views on Israel – despite him having “never expressed support for anything other than freeing the hostages and finding a way for peace.”
Philip Simon, whose long-running Jew-O-Rama showcase was cancelled by Edinburgh’s Whistle Binkies venue ten days ago, informed social media followers that his solo show, Shall I Compere Thee in a Funny Way? had been dropped by the city’s Banshee Labyrinth venue.
Simon said: “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.’ 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.”
Simon and his comedy partner Rachel Creeger were informed on 18 July that Whistle Binkies, where they have been performing since 2018, had withdrawn their bookings for the Fringe. Writing for Jewish News today, Creeger described how this venue – which last year had told them that ‘no-one messes with OUR Jews’ – had abruptly dropped them, not even directly, but by informing the Fringe, which passed the message on to them.
Simon said that he was “still processing the concept that in 2025 I can be cancelled just for being Jewish.
“In the meantime I will still be at the Fringe for my one remaining children’s show and continue to investigate possible alternative venues for both of my cancelled shows.”
He urged Fringe-goers not to boycott the venues in question, saying that “they are hosting some incredible acts who I wouldn’t want to suffer negatively because of this.”
Banshee Labyrinth has been contacted for comment.
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