At least six performers have withdrawn from a Lisbon comedy festival headlined by Jerry Seinfeld, with some citing Palestinian solidarity as the comedian faces continued criticism over his outspoken support for Israel.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom.
At least six acts have withdrawn from an upcoming comedy festival in Portugal where Jerry Seinfeld is scheduled to headline, with several of the departures accompanied by statements or imagery expressing support for Palestinians amid criticism of the comedian’s outspoken backing of Israel.
The inaugural MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest is scheduled to run from Oct. 29 through Nov. 1 in Lisbon, with Seinfeld performing at MEO Arena on the final night. Organizers are billing the appearance as the 72-year-old comedian’s first live performance in Portugal, and his show remains on the festival schedule.
Portuguese actress and comedian Inês Aires Pereira announced Saturday that she was withdrawing her show, “Namaste,” saying “one of the names” appearing at the festival repeatedly supports views and actions she considers unacceptable, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
“We cannot relativize or normalize a genocide,” Pereira wrote.
She did not identify Seinfeld by name, though Euronews reported that her comments appeared directed at him.
Comedy duo Cebola Mol, made up of Eduardo Madeira and Filipe Homem Fonseca, also withdrew. The pair posted an image featuring a watermelon, a symbol widely associated with Palestinian solidarity, and said they would celebrate “justice, freedom, and joy” with their audience on another occasion.
Other acts that have pulled out include Tributo Pop, Conjunto Cuca Monga, comedian Pedro Tochas and visual artist Vhils. Some announced their departures without publicly giving a reason, meaning not all of the withdrawals have been explicitly tied to Seinfeld or the Israel-Hamas war.
Organizers have given no indication that Seinfeld’s appearance is being reconsidered. His Nov. 1 performance remains listed by both the festival and Seinfeld’s official touring schedule.
Seinfeld has emerged as one of Hollywood’s more prominent supporters of Israel since Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. He traveled to Israel that December and met with families of hostages abducted by Hamas.
His public position has also drawn repeated protests at appearances and performances.
During an appearance at Duke University last year, Seinfeld compared the “Free Palestine” movement with the Ku Klux Klan, arguing that the KKK was at least more explicit about its hostility toward Jews and Black people.
“The Klan is actually a little better here because they can come right out and say, ‘We don’t like Blacks, we don’t like Jews.’ OK, that’s honest,” Seinfeld said, according to JTA.
The withdrawals have placed political controversy around what organizers had promoted as Lisbon’s first international comedy festival, which includes Portuguese and international performers across stand-up, improv and other live formats.
So far, however, the dispute has not removed the festival’s principal headliner. Seinfeld remains scheduled to take the stage Nov. 1 at MEO Arena, with some ticket sections already sold out, according to Euronews, as organizers move forward despite the departures and growing calls for a boycott.
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