Earlier this year, we lost the wonderful, funny and brave Jeremy Hardy.
Acclaimed stand-up comedian and passionate campaigner for human rights, this event will honour and remember Jeremy’s unstinting support for Palestine and the Palestinian people.
Jeremy Hardy versus the Israeli Army follows Jeremy’s journey to Palestine, at the invitation of filmmaker Leila Sansour, who challenges him to join the International Solidarity Movement during the 2002 Israeli invasion.
Jeremy had always felt sympathetic to the Palestinians, but travelling thousands of miles to engage in direct action against the world’s fourth biggest military power was not his idea of a holiday. On the other hand, neither was travelling to Florida to spend Easter with his in-laws. Palestine wins.
Peter Bradshaw, reviewing the film in July 2003 said: “The sight of the wisecracking comic turning emulsion-white with fear brings home the situation with more power than any news broadcast.”
Schedule for the evening
Dr Husam Zomlot, Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, will introduce the evening.
A short screening that showcases the work of MAP will precede the film. Jeremy was an active supporter of MAP, regularly performing at fundraisers and appearing in the documentary, Health Under Occupation.
Mark Thomas, fellow stand-up comedian and author of Extreme Rambling: Walking Israel’s Separation Barrier. For Fun, will host the evening
There will be a panel discussion after the screening with Jeremy’s wife, film maker Katie Barlow; Leila Sansour, producer/director of Jeremy Hardy versus the Israeli Army; Aimee Shalan, CEO of MAP; Chris Dunham, ISM activist and managing director of Carbon Descent; and Jocelyn Hurndall, mother of young British photojournalist, Tom Hurndall, who was killed by the Israeli Army while reporting on the ISM in 2003.
More about the Jeremy Hardy screening
Katie and Jeremy met while working on this documentary in Palestine.
The evening will bring together members of the International Solidarity Movement who feature in the film, along with many of Jeremy’s friends from the worlds of human rights, comedy, television and radio to relive Jeremy’s extraordinary journey that gave a new and vibrant voice to Palestine.
Please join us to celebrate and honour Jeremy’s life, and give your support to the two Palestinian projects he championed with passion and dedication.
All funds raised at the event will go to support the work of Open Bethlehem and Medical Aid for Palestinians
Open Bethlehem is an organisation that promotes global engagement with Bethlehem as a doorway into Palestine. The team is currently campaigning for the recognition of Palestine by the British government.
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) has been working for over 30 years with Palestinian communities, striving to deliver health and medical care to those worst affected by conflict, occupation and displacement.