Jackie won't share bill with Palestinian

A comedian has been told he couldn't open for leading Jewish comic Jackie Mason - because he is Palestinian.

Ray Hanania was due to open for Mason in a Chicago comedy club last night, but was told he couldn't perform just hours before he was due to go on stage.

But Mason refused to share the bill with him.

Jyll Rosenfeld, Mason's manager, told CNN: "It's not exactly like he's just an Arab-American. This guy's a Palestinian.

"Jackie does not feel comfortable having a Palestinian open for him. Right now it's a very sensitive thing, it's just not a good idea.

"Nothing personal against this fellow, Jackie doesn't even know him."

Ali Alarabi, president of the United Arab American League said: "I'm outraged. It is an act of hate and racism against Palestinians, and we demand an apology."

But Rosenfeld said: "Don't turn this into a racist issue, because it's not, we just felt this is not a good idea at this time."

Hanania, a 49-year-old Vietnam War veteran (right), has only been performing stand-up for around a year, and the appearance at Zanie's comedy club would have been an important gig.

"I'm upset because I deserve to be on stage and it was a big break for me," he said.

Mason is an outspoken supporter of Israel, and has received accolades fromt the Israeli government.

Published: 28 Aug 2002