Theatre cancels pro-Israel fundraiser amid claims of threats to staff

A West End theatre has cancelled a speaking event to be hosted by journalist Douglas Murray called 'Standing with Israel' following claims that staff refused to work after receiving outside pressure. 

The event was due to be held at the Apollo Theatre on 4 February to raise scholarship and support funds for student members of the Israel Defense Forces' military reserve force.

Less than five hours before the event was due to start, the Apollo's owners, Nimax Theatres, posted on X/Twitter that the theatre was closed "with no events".

Nimax Theatres told Jewish News: “The event on Sunday, 4 February, was cancelled on the advice of Nimax’s security company, which advised that the risk was too high to proceed. The safety of the staff, attendees and building is always paramount.”

Alan Aziz, Chief Executive of the Israel Institute of Technology Technion, the event's organiser, claimed the theatre had "struggled" to find enough crew members to work that evening.

He alleged those staff members who had opted to work the extra shift were sent "threatening emails and told the management that they no longer wanted to work” after their contact information was distributed to someone outside the theatre. 

He said: “The Apollo were very understanding and apologised. They did everything possible to try to make it work.” 

The event went ahead at another undisclosed venue, with Murray posting on X: “Wonderful event to a capacity audience in London. Shame on the Apollo Theatre for bowing to the mob. But London’s Jews will not be intimidated, and neither will I.”

Beforehand, he said: "We have arrived at a point where theatres in London no longer feel safe to support free speech – or at least not when the subject is Jews or Israel."

The activist group Culture Workers Against Genocide was due to hold a protest outside the theatre during the event. They wrote on Instagram: "Tonight’s protest outside the Apollo Theatre is called off following a successful pressure campaign by a coalition of independent artists, workers and members of Culture Workers Against Genocide.

"We applaud @nimaxtheatres quick and decisive action to cancel the event."