Michael Rapaport Show Abruptly Canceled in Alabama Over Support for Israel, Hostages
Michael Rapaport’s comedy show in Birmingham was canceled due to protests over his pro-Israel stance and calls to free Gaza hostages, highlighting the professional toll of his advocacy. Despite the setback, he connected with local Jewish community members, reaffirming his commitment to his beliefs.
The Stardome Comedy Club in Birmingham, Alabama, has abruptly cancelled a scheduled performance by comedian Michael Rapaport, citing protests and threats over his vocal support for Israel and his calls to free the 50 hostages still held in Gaza since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. Rapaport, who was already in Birmingham, announced on X, “My show tonight at the Stardome in Alabama was CANCELLED. I did not cancel. I would never cancel, especially since I’m already here in Birmingham, ready to perform.” He added, “It was shut down because of protests and threats over my support for Israel and for speaking up about the 50 hostages still being held in Gaza. Six hundred and seventy days in captivity, and people are protesting me for demanding their release? It’s embarrassing. It’s sad. But I’m not ashamed. I stand by what I say and who I stand with.”
The club removed event details from its website, which had listed a 6:15 p.m. door time and 7:30 p.m. show start. Rapaport, known for roles in True Romance and Friends, described himself as a “classic New York lox and bagels Jew” before October 7, when Hamas killed 1,189 and abducted 251. Since then, he has visited Israel five times, spoken at Tel Aviv hostage rallies, and appeared on local comedy shows, dedicating his Instagram to advocacy despite professional repercussions. In April 2025, he revealed, “I’m having a hard time getting acting jobs due to my outspoken support for Israel,” but insisted, “There was no choice,” expressing “not the slightest bit of regret.”
Despite the cancellation, Rapaport found solace with Birmingham’s Jewish community, posting, “Fortunately, I got to meet some incredible people from Chabad of Alabama today and had the blessing of wrapping tefillin, a ginormous mitzvah and a reminder of what really matters. Am Yisrael Chai.” The incident reflects a broader surge in antisemitism, with 920 anti-Jewish hate crimes in Canada alone in 2024, per Statistics Canada. Social media on X condemned the cancellation, with one user stating, “Canceling Rapaport for supporting hostages is cowardice, shame on Stardome.”