Dembina heads for Middle East

Al Murray, Andre Vincent and Simon Munnery will all take part in a peace benefit next month.

The gig will raise money to support fellow comic Ivor Dembina on a peace mission to Palestine.

Dembina said: " I'm one of an increasing number of Jewish people in this country who are appalled at the treatment being handed out to Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.

"I'm very worried that Israel will use the war in Iraq as a smokescreen to step up action against innocent people.

"I don't feel nervous about the trip because there'll be plenty of time to be scared when I'm out there.

"At present, my main worry surrounds my friendship with other comics. I mean, how would you feel if your mates had a whip round to send you off to a war zone?'"

Only yesterday a 23-year-old American peace volunteer, Rachel Corrie, was killed in the Gaza Strip when she was run over by an Israeli Army bulldozer. She was trying to stop it demolishing a Palestian doctor's house.

And last year, comedian Jeremy Hardy became trapped near Bethlehem when the group of pacifists he was with become caught up in the fighting.

The benefit gig, which will also feature Angie McEvoy and Steve Jameson, takes place in the Red Rose club, north London, on April 8.

Published: 17 Mar 2003