John Cleese has sparked a backlash in Israel after pulling out of sold-out shows in the country, with media outlets pointing to an alleged anti-Israel bias in his social media posts in the lead-up to the decision.
The 86-year-old Monty Python and Fawlty Towers star was due to appear in an “An Evening with John Cleese,” hosted by popular Israeli comedian and actor Zvika Hadar, in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv this month.
The shows had already been previously postponed from June dates due to the war with Iran and missiles strikes on both sides over the summer.
Alon Yurik Productions, the company behind the Israeli shows, announced on Monday that Cleese had pulled out of the show after ceding to pressure from the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.
“Sadly, John Cleese capitulated to threats from BDS organizations, after tickets to his show had long sold out,” it said in a statement.
The BDS organization – which regularly pressures artists not to perform in Israel – is regarded as antisemitic in Israel although the organization has said it opposes all forms of racism.
Cleese posted a statement on X on November 11, countering Alon Yurik Productions’ version of events, saying he still planned to perform in Israel.
“Contrary to the claims made by Alon Yurik Productions last night – which were subsequently reported – I am having to reschedule my shows planned in Israel for later this month, following safety advice. At 86, that is obviously all important,” he wrote.
“I will re-arrange these show as it’s possible, I would be happy to perform without receiving any fee. I am hugely fond of Israeli audiences and send my sincere apologies to all the people who bought tickets.”
In the meantime, a number of Israeli media outlets have picked up on Cleese’s recent reposting and commentating of posts critiquing Israel, some of which spread disinformation or unfounded conspiracies.
Even Israel’s traditionally liberal newspaper Haaretz, a staunch critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government as well as Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, picked up on Cleese’s social media activity, listing half a dozen questionable reposts.
These included a repost of a fake quote attributed to former Israeli ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, suggesting she endorsed the killing of children in Gaza, as well as a post reporting a conspiratorial suggestion by Candace Owens that Israel was somehow involved in the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Cleese who is extremely active on social media regularly reposts and tweets on a variety of political and news events, with current topics of interest ranging from President Donald Trump, to the Epstein scandal, the war in Ukraine and the BBC among others.
Deadline has contacted actor’s rep for comment.
News of the backlash comes as documentary feature John Cleese Packs It In, going behind the scenes of the actor and comedian’s recent 16-city and 23-show European tour, hits cinemas in the UK on November 13.
In the meantime, while Cleese’s performances in Israel are on hold, Alon Yurik Productions is gearing up for a live show in Tel Aviv on November 19 entitled “Songs and Stories” and fronted by Kevin Spacey.
