Jerry Seinfeld's support for Israel turned into a protest at the festival in Lisbon

US comedian Jerry Seinfeld's open support for Israel has sparked controversy ahead of the first MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest to be held in Lisbon at the end of October. Portuguese actress and comedian Inês Aires Pereira withdrew from the festival, clearly stating her solidarity with Palestine, while Cebola Mol duo also canceled their participation with a message associated with Palestinian solidarity. Other shows on the festival schedule have also been cancelled, but their connection to the Seinfeld controversy has not been confirmed.

The first MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest, to be held in Lisbon between 29 October and 1 November 2026, became the center of a political and ethical debate before it even started.

At the center of the discussion is Jerry Seinfeld, one of the prominent names of the festival.

The American comedian's public support for Israel and his statements regarding the Israel-Palestine issue caused protests and boycott calls on social media before his first show in Portugal.

Inês Aires Pereira withdrew from the festival

Portuguese actress and comedian Inês Aires Pereira was one of the names who announced that they would not take part in the festival.

Pereira did not directly use Seinfeld's name in his statement, but stated that one of the names in the festival program persistently defended ideas and actions that he found "indefensible".

Clearly associating his decision with solidarity with Palestine, Pereira gave the message that "we cannot relativize or normalize a genocide" regarding Gaza.

The artist defended his decision to withdraw from the festival, stating that he took seriously people buying tickets to see his show, but that there were more important principles to consider.

Pereira was planned to stage his show Namastê on October 29 at Coliseu dos Recreios.

Watermelon message from Cebola Mol

Another name that withdrew from the festival was Cebola Mol, consisting of Eduardo Madeira and Filipe Homem Fonseca.

The duo announced the cancellation of the show, which was planned to be held on October 31, on social media.

The post included an image of a watermelon slice, which has long been used as one of the symbols of Palestinian solidarity because it bears the same colors as the Palestinian flag.

Cebola Mol said in his message: "We will celebrate justice, freedom and joy at another opportunity."

The duo did not directly mention Jerry Seinfeld's name in their statement. For this reason, although there is no clear justification as in Inês Aires Pereira's statement, it is also reported in the Portuguese press that the post refers to Palestinian solidarity.

Why is Jerry Seinfeld at the center of the debate?

The reaction to Jerry Seinfeld's presence at the festival is not a new controversy that emerged only for this event.

Seinfeld publicly supported Israel after the attacks carried out by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 people died and more than 200 people were taken hostage.

Seinfeld, who visited Israel in December 2023, met with the hostages and their relatives who were released after being kidnapped by Hamas; He also visited Kibbutz Be'eri, one of the targets of the October 7 attacks.

In the following period, he faced protests in different countries, including the USA and Australia, due to his statements regarding the Israel-Palestine issue and his support for Israel.

Now the same debate has moved to Lisbon ahead of Seinfeld's first live show in Portugal.

It's not right to attribute every cancellation to Seinfeld

There are other cancellations in the festival program.

The Tributo Pop show and the Conjunto Cuca Monga concert, which will feature Carolina Deslandes, Tatanka and Bárbara Tinoco, were also cancelled.

However, there is no confirmed statement that these two cancellations are linked to Jerry Seinfeld or the Palestinian issue.

While BlueTicket stated that the Conjunto Cuca Monga concert was canceled "for reasons beyond the control of the organization", only cancellation information was published for Tributo Pop.

Conjunto Cuca Monga and Carolina Deslandes, reached by Lusa, did not comment on the issue. No statement could be received from Bárbara Tinoco and Tatanka at the time the news was being prepared.

Therefore, it is not possible to describe all cancellations as a "mass artist boycott against Jerry Seinfeld" with the available information.

The festival will start on October 29

The program of MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest, which will be held for the first time, includes shows such as Rebenta a Bolha, featuring Jerry Seinfeld, Herman José, Clarice Falcão, Matilde Breyner and César Mourão, Vasco Palmeirim, Pedro Ribeiro and Vera Fernandes.

Different events of the festival are planned to be held in various show and event venues in Lisbon.

Jerry Seinfeld's first show in Portugal continues to be one of the most notable events of the festival.

As the festival approaches, it is not yet known whether new artists will withdraw or whether the organization will make a new statement regarding the controversy.

PTNEWSHUB REVIEW

As PTNewsHub, we appreciate the attitude of the Portuguese artists who showed solidarity with Palestine by withdrawing from the festival where Jerry Seinfeld was present due to his support for Israel, and we congratulate them. We find it valuable that artists can take a stand on conscientious and humanitarian issues in line with their own principles.

However, we do not show other show cancellations that do not explain their reasons as part of the same protest; Available information only allows to clearly or strongly associate some artists' decision with Palestinian solidarity.

REVIEWED SOURCES

Portugal Resident — Natasha Donn, September 6, 2026 — main source shared by user; The news cites RTP and Expresso as sources.

RTP / Lusa — September 6, 2026 — News about the withdrawal of Inês Aires Pereira and Cebola Mol, other cancellations, Jerry Seinfeld's position in the festival and the festival program.

Renascença / Lusa — September 5, 2026 — Inês Aires Pereira withdrew from the festival citing Palestine and other cancellations.

MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest — official festival site — check festival dates and announced programme.