John Malkovich Cancels Israel Show Over Falsely Attributed ‘Solidarity’ Quotes
John Malkovich has canceled a 2027 performance in Tel Aviv, Israel over claims quotes were falsely attributed to him.
The 72-year-old actor was scheduled to perform “The Music Critic” in Tel Aviv in April 2027 at the Charles Bronfman Auditorium. But a press release was published that reportedly misattributed quotes to John and he’s pushing back.
According to The Wrap, the comments in question said the star was “thrilled to return to Israel” and was looking forward “to meeting the warm Israeli audience once again, to whom I feel a strong closeness and solidarity.”
These quotes were published as part of a press release in The Jerusalem Post, who later removed the statement. An editor’s note says the quote was removed after confirmation that “it was falsely attributed” to John.”
The show’s Israeli producer, Alon Yurick, allegedly said the incorrect quote resulted “from a misunderstanding and apologized for the error.”
John Malkovich released a statement addressing the falsely attributed quotes
However, the Red star canceled the performance after he became aware of the announcement.
See his full statement provided to Just Jared:
I was made aware of an article which appeared in The Hollywood Reporter (first published in The Jerusalem Post) announcing a date in Tel Aviv, Israel, for a performance of a piece called ‘The Music Critic,’ one of the numerous classical music collaborations and live theatre performances I have been touring in for nearly two decades and which I have performed in 47 countries at last count. The Tel Aviv date was meant to be one of several touring stops throughout Europe and the Middle East.
A PR company hired by the Israeli promoter drafted a quote for the article that was attributed to me, though I never made the statements that were quoted, nor was I consulted before they were printed. I did not utter these phrases, and they most certainly are not approved by me, nor do they reflect my feelings. The fact that they were printed as direct quotes from me is unacceptable and untenable. For this reason, I have decided I cannot participate in the Tel Aviv performance.
Throughout my long career, I’ve been lucky to perform across a quite wide swath of the world— in countries with governments whose values or culture I do not share and in front of audiences of many differing faiths and ideologies. Traveling to places whose view of the world may not align with mine has given me a chance to observe and to listen and learn and to share my idea of what makes good storytelling and what makes beautiful music and how they can complement each other and illuminate the human condition.
My appearance in any country, even my own, does not constitute approval of said country’s policies, nor actions, nor its elected or unelected leaders. My appearances would also not condone nor mean that I am in supposed “solidarity” with any particular political cause, nor with the killing of innocents, nor with any acts of terrorism, nor any other kind of barbarity.
Generally speaking, I believe that we need more culture and more beauty in more places, not less. Art, at its best, reminds us that the exercise of our shared humanity can and should be a tool to bridge our conflicts and our griefs, our grievances and our sorrows, and that the exercise of artistic freedom is often the greatest form of protest against savagery. I look forward to continuing to exercise my artistic freedom, come what may. However, only playwrights, novelists and screenwriters can put words in my mouth, and even then, only in the service of storytelling, and no one else should think they can do that without my consent and without the resultant consequences.
How did the Israeli firm handling the show’s publicity respond?
They issued a statement to apologize for the handling of the press release.
“Mr. Malkovich did not make, provide, authorize or approve this statement, nor was it approved by his representatives. We sincerely apologize to Mr. Malkovich and his representatives for the incorrect attribution and regret that this occurred.”
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Posted To:Israel john malkovich
