Jewish Comedian Expelled From London Writing Group Over Zionist Views

A Jewish comedian in London, Harry Dinsway, was expelled from a writing group after stating he is a Zionist, according to British media reports on Sunday. Dinsway had been a member of the Offbeat Writers' Group for six months. The group's manager, Robbie Sullivan, reportedly told him there was "no place" for him due to his political views.

UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) sent a warning letter to Sullivan, asserting that Dinsway's expulsion may violate the UK's Equality Act. According to UKLFI, Sullivan questioned Dinsway about his stance on Israel, identifying herself as "very pro-Palestinian" and stating that their political differences would impact their collaboration. Dinsway responded that he is "Jewish and Zionist" but also supports Palestinian rights, defining Zionism as the belief in the Jewish people's right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland while opposing actions causing suffering to Palestinians.

In their correspondence, Sullivan allegedly told Dinsway, "I really cannot identify with your beliefs, as they support the slaughter of an entire population." She added, "I don't think you have a place in the Offbeat writers' group because of this." UKLFI claims Sullivan also mentioned preparing an ideological statement for potential group members, including a "commitment to an apartheid-free zone." UKLFI argues that the law prohibits discriminating against Dinsway based on his Jewish origin and faith, as well as his belief in Jewish self-determination.

The dispute also led to the cancellation of a literary evening organized by Dinsway in North London. Dinsway stated that after Sullivan and other group members withdrew from the event, the venue's owners canceled it, forcing him to refund ticket holders. The venue owners denied that discrimination was a factor, stating the event was canceled due to a "fundamental change in its nature" and a lack of communication from Dinsway, though they affirmed he is still welcome at the venue.

UKLFI described the situation as "McCarthyism in the guise of progressive politics," emphasizing that Jewish artists should not face ideological purity tests to participate in cultural life. Dinsway wrote in The Telegraph that politics had never been raised in the group and that his writing contained no political content. He expressed sadness but not surprise at being excluded for being a Zionist, which he believes has become a symbol of evil due to ongoing propaganda. He noted a "shocking embrace of far-left and extremist Islamist politics" in the UK arts scene since October 7th, stating he has lost friends and work over the past three years for asserting the Jewish people's right to live in their homeland.

This incident follows a recent decision by the UK Green Party to declare Zionism a form of racism and themselves an "anti-Zionist party," a move criticized by the Movement for Reform Judaism as making antisemitism party policy.