29-07-2025
Cancel victim former MP slams Jewish comic's 'unlawful' fringe ban over Israel views
A Jewish comedian who claimed he was axed by an Edinburgh Fringe venue over his views on Gaza has won the support of a leading KC.
Former SNP MP Joanna Cherry backed Philip Simon, who had planned to perform his stand-up show Shall I Compare Thee in a Funny Way at the capital's Banshee Labyrinth.
But the comic announced in an online post that the venue has informed him it cancelled his show as his views on the crisis in Gaza 'are in significant conflict' with its 'stance against the current Israeli government's policy and actions'.
It comes just days after another venue, Whistlebinkies, axed his Jew-O-Rama compilation show and another performance by fellow Jewish comedian Rachel Creeger due to concerns over 'staff safety'.
Writing on social media website X, KC Joanna Cherry, a former SNP MP, said: 'It's not ok for Fringe venues to cancel bookings for Jewish comedians because their staff allegedly feel 'unsafe'.
'Racial and belief discrimination is unlawful.'
In 2023, the outspoken former MP's event at The Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh was initially cancelled after staff claimed they were not comfortable with her stance on transgender issues.
She said she had been dropped for 'being a lesbian with gender-critical views'.
The club, owned by former SNP MP Tommy Sheppard, backed down and reinstated her show after Ms Cherry began legal action over its 'unlawful and discriminatory' decision.
The Stand said it 'accept that the previous decision that the event could not go ahead was unfair and constituted unlawful discrimination against Ms Cherry'.
Yesterday Ms Cherry posted a link to the legal opinion which she said 'helped me fight my own cancellation two years ago'.
Ms Cherry and the Banshee Labyrinth were contacted for comment.
Earlier this week, Mr Simon said: 'Anyone who knows me will know I have never expressed support for anything other than freeing the hostages and finding a way for peace.
'It is sad to think that these views could conflict with anyone who wants to see a lasting peace in Gaza and Israel.
'As a Jewish person living in Britain it is possible, and increasingly common, to have a love for Israel without supporting the actions of the government.'
He added he was 'still processing the concept that in 2025 I can be cancelled just for being Jewish'.
The stand-up comic says he will still be at the festival for his one remaining children's show and is continuing to seek alternative venues for both his cancelled gigs.
And he urged any comics considering snubbing the venues 'not to do anything to jeopardise your own shows'.
He said: 'If you are going to do not boycott these venues, they are hosting some incredible acts who I wouldn't want to suffer negatively because of this.'
In a message to Mr Simon, the Banshee Labyrinth is reported to have said it felt it was 'inappropriate for us to provide a platform for performers whose views and actions align with the rhetoric and symbology of groups associated with humanitarian violations.'
The venue told The Telegraph newspaper that it made its decision after scouring Mr Simon's social media pages.
The alleged concerns identified by the Banshee Labyrinth are reported to include Mr Simon sharing pictures from a vigil commemorating 100 days since the attack on Israel.
The Edinburgh Festival Fridge Society said it 'stands for freedom of expression' but that it does not 'manage or programme venues at the festival'.
A spokesman added: 'We understand that the show cancellations have been a choice made by the venue.'
The Banshee Labyrinth said it 'routinely screens bands and performers for affiliations to, and statements that advocate for, discriminatory groups, and our band bookings are caveated by a statement that any acts displaying rhetoric or symbology associated with discriminatory groups will be pulled with immediate effect'.
This 'applies to all performers, all year'.
It said: 'We have hosted Philip in previous years, and only thought we should have a look at his pages to see what was going on because of what happened with the neighbouring venue.
'If we hadn't found anything of concern, he would obviously still be performing with us.'
A spokesman for the venue said: 'Due to the recent controversy [Philip's show being pulled from our neighbouring pub], our management had a duty of care to our customers and staff members to review the political statements and opinions expressed by the performer.
