What’s happening?

A stand-up show by Israeli comedian Yohay Sponder was canceled at Boom Chicago, an Amsterdam comedy club, due to online threats and substantial negative reactions concerning his performance.

Why it matters

The cancelation highlights key issues surrounding freedom of expression and the ongoing disinformation campaigns designed to misrepresent Israeli culture and promote hatred against Israel. Yohay Sponder, through his comedy, aims to provide a lighthearted but meaningful insight into Jewish and Israeli life, fostering understanding and connection.

Efforts to find a new venue

Boom Chicago expressed their commitment to freedom of expression without hate and offered Sponder support in possibly relocating his performance to another venue. Sponder is currently in the process of finding a larger, more central venue to continue sharing his uniquely Israeli talent and humor, ensuring that audiences can still enjoy his perspective and smile amidst the challenges.

The BDS involvement

The BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement in the Netherlands welcomed the cancellation, falsely accusing Sponder of promoting hate speech. In reality, Sponder seeks to strengthen cultural understanding through comedy, addressing misconceptions and prejudices with wit and narration.

Sponder’s resilience

On social media, Yohay Sponder assured his audience of a future performance in a better venue, emphasizing continued support for Jewish and Israeli identity. His adaptability and determination demonstrate a resilience inherent in Israeli culture when faced with adversities promoting prejudice.

This story was first published on jpost.com.