Omid Djalili gig axed over 'personal threats'

Security concerns amid Israel-Hamas war

Anglo-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili has had to pull out of a gig tonight because of ‘personal threats due to the situation in Israel’.

The comic was due to appear at the Festival Drayton Centre, in Market Drayton, Shropshire.

But the venue reportedly released a statement on social media saying the show was dropped because ‘increased personal threats’ over the Israel-Hamas war. Venue manager Jodie Rudd also told the Shropshire Star the cancellation was down to ‘security threats’

However the original post now seems to have been replaced with one saying only the show was axed ‘due to circumstances beyond our control’

Djalili – who was was born in London 58 years ago to Iranian parents – has been posting about the situation on X, calling for a ceasefire and speaking out about hate crimes directed at both Jewish and Palestinian people.

Tehran bankrolls Hamas, but the comic has been an outspoken critic of the regime, especially during the recent protests spearheaded by young women against the compulsory wearing of hijabs in public, leading to the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she had been arrested.

He this week said it was a disgrace Iran was chair of the UN Human Rights social forum in Geneva next month given its role in funding Hamas and Hezbollah.

West Mercia Police say no threat has been reported over tonight’s gig.

Chortle has approached Omid Djalili's representatives for comment. He is due to tour Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland next week.

The conflict has gone into utterly unprecedented territory. The ONLY action we have now - as humanity - is to call for an immediate ceasefire. There literally is no other thing to do or say at this point. Any speculation on this ‘report’ or that ‘report’ on who is to blame makes…
— Omid Djalili (@omid9) October 18, 2023

There is absolutely no doubt the rise in hate crimes around the world for Jewish & Palestinian communities has a direct link with violent language used by commentators, political campaigns and the proliferation of out-of-control comments on social media.

"It's like an open…
— Omid Djalili (@omid9) October 19, 2023