John Malkovich Cancels Israel Performance After PR Firm Fabricates Quotes

Actor John Malkovich has cancelled a planned appearance in Tel Aviv scheduled for April 13. The performance was to be part of a theatrical musical satire titled The Music Critic at the Charles Bronfman Auditorium. The cancellation follows the discovery of a press release that attributed quotes to Malkovich which he did not say. The fabricated statements claimed he was thrilled to return to Israel and felt a strong closeness and solidarity with the country. Malkovich learned of the quotes after reading them in the Hollywood Reporter and the Jerusalem Post. In a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, Malkovich described the attribution as unacceptable and untenable. He clarified that his appearances in any country do not constitute approval of that country's policies, leaders, or political causes, and do not mean he is in solidarity with any particular cause. The PR firm hired by the Israeli promoter admitted to the error and apologized for the incorrect attribution. While both reports agree on the facts of the cancellation, a center left source provided extensive context regarding Malkovich's history of avoiding political ideology and his past comments about political figures. A left leaning source focused more concisely on the act of the promoter falsifying the quotes.