Jerry Seinfeld Headline Act Sparks Artist Boycott at Lisbon Comedy Festival
Several Portuguese artists have boycotted the upcoming MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest in Lisbon to protest the participation of Jewish-American headliner Jerry Seinfeld over his pro-Israel stance.
A new international comedy festival, the MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest, is set to debut in Lisbon next month, with legendary Jewish-American comedian Jerry Seinfeld selected as the headline act. However, Seinfeld's vocal pro-Israel stance during the ongoing war in Gaza has triggered a wave of boycotts, with several Portuguese artists pulling out of the event.
According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter, Portuguese actress Inês Aires Pereira announced on Saturday that her show would no longer take place at the festival.
Pereira stated:
"One of the names consistently defends ideas and actions that I consider indefensible. We cannot relativize or normalize genocide."
While she did not explicitly name Seinfeld, her comments clearly pointed to the headliner.
Growing List of Boycotts
Following Pereira's announcement, the Portuguese comedy duo Cebola Mol, consisting of Eduardo Madeira and Filipe Homem Fonseca, also withdrew from the lineup.
The duo shared on social media:
"We will celebrate justice, freedom, and joy with you on another occasion."
Their post was accompanied by an illustration of a watermelon, a widely recognized symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Other artists have also canceled their scheduled performances at the Lisbon festival. These include musicians Carolina Deslandes, Tatanka, and Bárbara Tinoco, who were set to perform as part of the "Tributo Pop" show. Additionally, the musical group Conjunto Cuca Monga, comedian Pedro Tojas, and visual artist Vhils (Alexandre Farto) have pulled out. Official reasons for these subsequent cancellations were not publicly detailed.
Seinfeld's Unwavering Support for Israel
Jerry Seinfeld has been a prominent supporter of Israel, especially following the October 7 massacre. He visited Israel to show solidarity with the families of hostages and has faced numerous anti-Israel protests during his public appearances in the United States.
Last year, a pro-Palestinian activist confronted Seinfeld on the streets of New York, shouting insults and accusing him of supporting genocide in Gaza. Similar disruptions have targeted his stand-up shows and public lectures.
This incident is part of a broader trend of targeting Jewish and pro-Israel artists in the cultural sphere. Recently, an actor withdrew from the play Right Before I Go in London to protest the casting of prominent Jewish-British actress and comedian Maureen Lipman over her public views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
