Comic denies antisemitism

Festival bosses have been forced to defend their decision to book a controversial French comic accused of anti-Semitism.

Montreal’s Jewish groups said they would be keeping a close eye on Dieudonne M'bala M'bala’s show when it premieres at Just For Laughs on Saturday night.

During his career, the 38-year-old comic has been charged more than a dozen times for racial defamation but only found guilty once, a verdict he is appealing.

He caused his biggest storm in December when he appeared on French television as an Orthodox Jewish, made a Nazi salute and shouted: “Isra-Heil".

However, Dieudonne has always denied being anti-Semitic, saying he mocks the Israeli state’s policies, rather than targeting ethnic groups.

At a press conference to promote his Montreal show Mes Excuses, he said: “I'm a comic,. I know my style can shock, but that's my right - the right to blaspheme,".

"My job is to make people laugh, yes, about sensitive subjects ... and sometimes that can touch sentiments."

But Canadian campaigner Yoni Petel said: “Characterizing Ultra-Orthodox Jews in a way similar to Nazis is certainly not a critique of Israeli policy, but really threatens that community.”

Another activist, Fo Niemi, added: "These things are very subtle but cumulative, and the problem is people assimilate stereotypes and derogatory views of other groups, particularly religious minorities.”

Jewish groups have stooped short of calling for the show to be cancelled, but David Birnbaum, of the Canadian Jewish Congress, said” "We will be there to watch, and we'll see what happens. But we're not prejudging."

Just for Laughs president Gilbert Rozon played down the fuss, saying: "I think there's been a misunderstanding.”

It's a view that seems to have been borne out by events. The show passed without incident or complaint.

Published: 17 Jul 2004