Comedian Omid Djalili has cancelled a performance in the UK over safety fears linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The 58-year-old actor, who has featured in a string of Hollywood films, was due to appear at a theatre in Market Drayton, Shropshire, tonight.
But hours before the Omid Djalili And Friends show was due to start, he pulled out as a result of “increased personal threats” due to the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza.
Jodie Rudd, centre manager of the Festival Drayton Centre, where he was due to perform, told the Shropshire Star: “Due to security threats made against Omid Djalili, tonight’s performance at the Festival Drayton Centre has had to be cancelled.
“We are working hard to contact all customers.”
Initially, the theatre’s Facebook page said the stand-up performance was cancelled due to these “personal threats” due to the Israel-Hamas war, according to the Shropshire Star.
This was later updated, at which point the theatre only cited “circumstances beyond our control”.
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Sky’s Adele Robinson reports from the pro-Palestinian demonstration in London.
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After the announcement, Djalili posted on X/Twitter alluding to the threats he had received and appeared to joke he was now “hiding out” next week at his other tour venues in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
He wrote: “Due to threats hiding out in the following locations on the dates below. Don’t tell anyone. Derry Millenium [sic] Forum October 24 Belfast Ulster Hall 25t Dublin Vicar St. 26 Galway 27 (sold out). New York comedy festival Nov 7 @GothamComedy.”
In recent days, he has issued a number of posts calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, including one post in which he said “demand a ceasefire now! END THE GENOCIDE ON GAZA.”
Many have prompted a large number of replies.
Since the 7 October attacks on Israel, hate crimes have risen in Europe and the UK, with some Jewish schools in London temporarily closing.
Islamophobia has also risen, according to Met Police figures released last week.
West Mercia Police told the BBC it had not received any reports of specific concerns related to the Shropshire gig.
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Festival Drayton Centre said it would work to contact fans who bought tickets to the event and refund them next week.
During his long career Djalili, who was born in London to Iranian parents, has appeared in blockbuster movies such as Gladiator, James Bond’s The World Is Not Enough and Mamma Mia!.
On 7 October, Palestinian militants from Hamas launched a wave of attacks on Israel that left 1,400 dead and around 200 taken hostage.
In retaliatory air strikes on Gaza, Israeli forces have so far killed around 3,400 and injured some 12,500.
