Hong Kong’s French and Israeli consulates condemn race-hate comic’s visit
French and Israeli consulates express concern to Hong Kong government about convicted racist and anti-Semite’s shows in the city later this month
Western consulates are warning a French comedian convicted for inciting racial hatred could spark public disorder in Hong Kong if a planned two-night performance in Cyberport goes ahead.
The French and Israeli consulates have contacted the police and the government raising concerns about artist Dieudonné M’bala M’bala’s upcoming two-night show on the 28th and 29th this month.
M’bala M’bala, of Cameroonian origin, is a well known hate-speech artist and holds a string of convictions in France and Belgium for racist and anti-Semitic remarks and was the inventor of the quenelle hand gesture likened to a reverse Nazi salute. He previously rejected being branded a racist.
Last year, the comic was found guilty for condoning terrorism after mocking ‘Je Suis Charlie’ slogan created in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks.
The French Consulate of Hong Kong condemned the show, but said it was powerless to intervene, distancing the Consulate, French people and values from that of M’bala M’bala’s.
“The Consulate would condemn of course any incitement to terrorism or to racial hatred or any expression of racism in a performance made by a French artist in Hong Kong, which does not reflect the opinion and values of the French people.
The French Consulate added it wrote a letter to the Hong Kong police expressing concern after learning about M’bala M’bala’s upcoming performance.
