The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) has welcomed the decision of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) to remove performer Paul Currie from its program.

Community members contacted the JCCV about the inclusion of after a recent performance in London, where he verbally abused a Jewish man because he would not celebrate the Palestinian flag, and then kicked him out of the show.

The JCCV along with the Jewish Museum of Australia and Kadimah – Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library reached out to the MICF organisers to voice concerns over Currie’s participation. Though many forms of art, including comedy, may touch on contemporary issues, there is no room for audience or staff members to be intimidated by a performer.

“Comedy can push boundaries, challenge societal norms, and reveal uncomfortable truths. Some jokes may offend audience members, and some may enjoy having a laugh at their expense. However, there is a difference between being offended and feeling abused,” said JCCV president Philip Zajac. “If the intent of the comedian is to intimidate an audience, to use their platform to impose their radical, hateful views on others, then there is no place for them at our Australian comedy festivals. Harassment and threats are not valid artistic expressions and are unacceptable.”

Paul Currie is not the only comedian who has produced content that intimidates and harasses Jews and supporters of Israel. There are a number of other comedians on the programme who have vilified Jewish people and supporters of Israel. The JCCV will continue to work with the creative community and Creative Victoria to ensure the safety of all performers, crew and audiences.

MICF released the following statement:

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival program includes challenging and thought-provoking work and the Festival recognises that the art of comedy is a natural environment for exploration of and comment on contemporary social and political issues. The Festival endorses the Artist’s freedom to push creative boundaries however, no audience or staff member, in any festival venue, should ever feel victimised or threatened. Intimidation, violence or abuse will not be tolerated by the Melbourne Comedy Festival. Material that encourages or normalises violence of any kind, racism, misogyny, ableism or persecution of the LGBTIQ+ communities does not have a place in the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

“I would hope that similar action would be taken should any other performer exhibit similar behaviour or express anti-Jewish hate,” Zajac added.