Anti-Semitic French Comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala Drops Tour
Image by getty images
Amid an investigation into his finances and bans on his shows because of anti-Semitic content, French comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala said he would abandon his nationwide tour.
The comedian made the announcement Saturday at a news conference in which Dieudonne, whose mother was born in Cameroon, appeared dressed in traditional West African garb.
“Today, a page is turned and I am switching to other things,” Dieudonne said in reference to his new show, “The Wall,” which he was supposed to take on tour beginning last Thursday but which ground to a halt after France’s highest court upheld a ban on the show that several municipalities have imposed.
His announcement also follows reports that French authorities suspect that he is hiding revenues to avoid paying $89,000 in fines that have been imposed on him for inciting racial hatred against Jews – an offense of which he has been convicted seven times. Legally speaking, Dieudonne is penniless and unable to pay the debts, yet his shows at the Main D’Or theatre in Paris are sold out, RTL reported.
French authorities reportedly suspect that he colluded with associates to give the impression of bankruptcy. In addition, French Interior Minister Manuel Valls was filmed saying on Jan. 7 that Dieudonne “was financed by Iran, after all.”
Dieudonne told reporters that: “As we are living in a state with laws, of course one needs to conform to the law.” He spoke in a serious tone and without the ironic pomp and mumblings that have become his trademark in past appearances and false expressions of regret for spreading anti-Semitic ideas.
“In my work as a humorist I have tried to push the boundaries of the public debate and of laughter, and the judiciary has expressed its position on this,” he said in reference to a ruling on Jan. 9 by France’s highest court which banned him from performing in the western city of Nantes. “I have angered many people and I will continue to do so, through laughter.”
Despite his seven convictions for inciting racial hatred against Jews, Dieudonne said: “Clearly, I am not a Nazi, I’m not an anti-Semite.”
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
