Calls made for Jimmy Carr's Glasgow OVO Hydro show to be axed
Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card, which campaigns against Israeli involvement in sporting and cultural events amid its ongoing assault on Gaza, has said if the shows go ahead then pro-Palestine activists will target them with protests.
Middle East Eye first reported that Carr had hosted an evening celebrating Israel's independence day at the British Museum on Tuesday night.
Attendees included Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, Tory chief Kemi Badenoch and Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely (below), who gave an address to the audience. Hotovely opposes the existence of a Palestinian state.
Labour minister for defence procurement and industry, Maria Eagle, also gave a speech, boasting of the UK's military involvement in Israel's bombardment of Gaza.
"The UK stood with Israel, with the RAF conducting surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean in support of hostage rescue efforts," she told the room.
Carr, who sparked outrage in 2022 when he "joked" that the murders of hundreds of thousands of Gypsy Travellers was one "positive" of the Holocaust, was filmed leaving the event and refusing to respond to questions from protesters.
Carr is due to perform at a number of Scottish venues this year, including dates at Dundee's Caird Hall, Glasgow's OVO Hydro and Aberdeen's P&J Live.
A spokesperson from Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card said: "By hosting a secret party for Israel at the British Museum this week, comedian Jimmy Carr chose to fly the flag for Israel, an illegal apartheid occupation committing a genocide.
"We refuse to condone anyone who turns a blind eye to the actions of Israel. And we strongly oppose Scottish venues hosting Jimmy Carr.
"We ask the venues to cancel his appearance and for fans to boycott his gigs in line with the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement called for by Palestinians.
"If the venues ignore the call of the people opposing Israel's horrific onslaught on occupied Palestinians, then we will be there to protest and to send the message that Scotland stands firmly against genocide and oppression."
READ MORE: Kemi Badenoch mocked for basic Scotland-Wales gaffe
The campaigners added that they will be protesting against American comedian Chelsea Handler over her pro-Israel stance during her upcoming performance at the Glasgow Pavilion on Sunday, May 25.
Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card previously protested Nick Cave's Glasgow gig after he insisted on performing in Israel and called cultural boycotts of the state "cowardly and shameful".
Caird Hall, OVO Hydro and P&J Live have been contacted for comment.
The death toll from Israel's ongoing attacks has surpassed 53,000 this week according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Al Jazeera reported on Friday that Israel's air strikes had killed at least 100 in the past 24 hours, with 143 killed the previous day.
(Image: AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) Earlier this month Israeli ministers approved a plan to capture all of Gaza and remain there, expelling hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in what would amount to ethnic cleansing.
Israel has not allowed any humanitarian aid to pass into Gaza since March 2, leaving people there at risk of famine.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is wanted for arrest by the International Criminal Court over allegations of crimes against humanity, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
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