Israeli comedian Guy Hochman banned by Beverly Hills theater over Gaza loyalty test
Comedian Guy Hochman refused to issue a declaration on alleged atrocities, leading to gig ban and subsequent apology from venue
A scheduled performance by Israeli stand-up comedian Guy Hochman at the Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills was canceled this week after the venue demanded a public statement from him denying alleged atrocities against civilians in Gaza.
Venue management said it received complaints about Hochman ahead of the show. After searching online and finding no evidence beyond the original accusations, the theater asked him to publicly refute allegations and state that he did not support "genocide, rape, starvation, and torture of Palestinian civilians." When Hochman declined, the venue canceled his appearance and banned him from performing there.
The Fine Arts Theater later apologized to the Jewish community for mishandling the situation. It acknowledged that requiring an artist to make a political or ideological statement was wrong and should never have happened, adding it had contacted Hochman's representatives and was open to rescheduling "provided it can be done safely."
Hochman dismissed the apology as "insincere." He said he would not return to the theater after being subjected to what he called a "test" of his beliefs under pressure.
The incident follows other disruptions on Hochman's North American tour. A planned New York City show was previously canceled after protesters blocked the venue entrance, and Hochman said he was briefly detained at Toronto's Pearson International Airport after a complaint from a pro-Palestinian legal group.
Hochman's tour has drawn organized opposition and demonstrations in multiple cities from both critics and supporters, pointing to ongoing tensions surrounding cultural events involving Israeli performers in light of the ongoing Gaza conflict since October 7.
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