John Cleese cancels sold-out Israel tour after BDS threats; organizers condemn surrender, announce Kevin Spacey’s Tel Aviv performance instead.
British comedian and actor John Cleese, famed for Monty Python and Fawlty Towers, has canceled his upcoming performances in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, sparking outrage and disappointment among Israeli fans.
The shows, organized by Alon Yurik Productions, were scheduled between November 26 and December 1, including one show in Jerusalem and three in Tel Aviv — all completely sold out.
In a strongly worded statement Monday, the production company said:
“We deeply regret that John Cleese has succumbed to threats from BDS organizations, especially after all tickets had long been sold out. We will continue to give our all to bring Israeli audiences the finest cultural experiences.”
Yurik Productions also announced a replacement event — An Evening with Kevin Spacey — at Hangar 11 in Tel Aviv, calling the actor “a phenomenal artist, two-time Oscar winner, and a known friend of Israel.”
Cleese had postponed his Israeli tour once before, citing last June’s war with Iran. However, his recent social media activity has drawn criticism, as he reposted anti-Israel videos by Hollywood figures such as Mandy Patinkin and Mark Ruffalo, both known for sharp attacks on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government.
While Cleese performed in Israel several years ago and was previously not associated with anti-Israel activism, his sudden alignment with BDS rhetoric has stunned supporters. He has yet to issue a direct public comment beyond the production company’s announcement.
Israeli cultural circles decried the move as another “win for cultural boycotts and intimidation tactics”, lamenting that global artists continue to bow to pressure rather than engage with Israeli audiences directly.
