Several Portuguese artists have withdrawn from the inaugural MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest (Lisbon International Humour Festival) over objections to headliner Jerry Seinfeld's outspoken support for Israel amid the Israel-Gaza conflict. Actress Inês Aires Pereira pulled her show Namastê, saying one of the festival's names "insistently defends ideas and acts I consider indefensible" and that "we cannot relativise or normalise a genocide," while comedy duo Cebola Mol also exited, posting an image featuring a watermelon, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. The departures reflect a wider pattern of entertainers publicly distancing themselves from projects and events linked to figures seen as pro-Israel.

Other acts to withdraw include the "Tributo Pop" concert lineup, the group Conjunto Cuca Monga, comedian Pedro Tochas and visual artist Vhils, though most did not publicly explain their reasoning. The festival, running from 29 October to 1 November, has not commented, and Seinfeld's representatives have not responded to requests for comment. Seinfeld previously drew criticism for comparing the "Free Palestine" movement to the Ku Klux Klan during a Duke University appearance. The article notes similar controversies elsewhere in entertainment, including actors quitting a Soho Theatre production over Maureen Lipman's comments and a petition to remove Macklemore from Ed Sheeran's tour after he shouted "Free Palestine" on stage.