Jimmy Carr’s kibbutznik past
November 6, 2014 14:07
Add comedian Jimmy Carr to the list of showbiz kibbutzniks. He spent two months communing with Israel in his 20s, he told the Magen David Adom dinner this week. Some of his jokes were so blue they had the audience blushing redder than the charity’s logo but he helped raise a record sum.
What is Jimmy Carr?
James Anthony Patrick Carr was born on 15 September 1972[3] in Isleworth, London.[4][5][6] He is the second of three sons[7] born to Irish parents, Nora Mary (née Lawlor; 19 September 1943 – 7 September 2001)[8][9] and Patrick James “Jim” Carr (born 1945). Carr’s father was an accountant and later became treasurer for computer company Unisys. Natives of Limerick, his parents were married in 1970 and separated in 1994, never divorcing.[7][10]
In May 2025, Carr hosted a secret event celebrating Israel’s Independence Day at the British Museum. This event was held during the Israel–Gaza war and was criticised by pro-Palestine activists, who urge a boycott of Israeli events.[146][147]
Comedian Jimmy Carr heading for Israel
MARCH 4, 2018 15:29
Jimmy Carr will be bringing his trademark off-color humor and deadpan delivery to Tel Aviv this summer.
The British stand-up comedian and popular TV host will take the stage at Heichal Hatarbut on August 11. Carr is stopping in Israel as part of his “Best Of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits World Tour,” which includes shows in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, South Africa and more.
It will be Carr’s first performance in the Jewish state, but not his first visit.
In an appearance at a charity dinner for Magen David Adom in London in 2014, the Catholic-born Carr said he spent two months on a kibbutz in the 90s. [2]
Kemi Badenoch, Nigel Farage and Jimmy Carr attend secret Israeli party at British Museum
Labour defence minister boasts about UK military support for Israel at clandestine event at London landmark
Published date: 15 May 2025 15:02 BST
On Tuesday, staff at the British Museum were reportedly told there would be a “large corporate event” that evening.
They said they were asked to leave work early. That evening, British ministers and prominent politicians were seen arriving at the country’s largest museum. So was Jimmy Carr, one of Britain’s most prominent television personalities.
The event, which had not been advertised, was no corporate affair. This clandestine party had been organised by the Israeli embassy to celebrate the anniversary of Israel’s 77th Independence Day.
Word of the event had been leaked and pro-Palestine protesters arrived outside the museum gates, where they were greeted by the Metropolitan Police - who penned them into a side street.
Inside the museum, the Labour ministers in attendance could listen to entertainment by the host, Carr, while rubbing shoulders with prominent opposition politicians who had been invited to the exclusive bash.
Among them was Nigel Farage - leader of Reform UK, which polls regularly indicate is the most popular party in the country.
Also seen was Kemi Badenoch - leader of the Conservative party.
It was quite a statement for these British politicians to attend an event at which the keynote speech was given by Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely, who once called the Nakba an “Arab lie” and is an avowed opponent of the creation of a Palestinian state.
More so, given that it has been less than a week since Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan to “capture” Gaza and hold its territory, and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich vowed that Gaza would be entirely destroyed.
Moreover, earlier on Tuesday, the British government was in court facing a legal challenge over its decision to allow the export of F-35 parts to a global pool that could eventually end up in Israeli jets.
Carr, a regular fixture on UK comedy panel shows, was filmed ignoring a pro-Palestinian protester who asked him whether he had hosted the event. [4]
[1] Jimmy Carr's kibbutznik past - The Jewish Chronicle
[2] Comedian Jimmy Carr heading for Israel | The Jerusalem Post
[4] https://www.newarab.com/news/british-museum-slammed-secret-israel-independence-day-event