Jewish celebrities and non-Jewish comedians plan a show for a just peace in the Middle East as a
counter-attraction to a gala which celebrates Israel's 60th anniversary which is happening at the same time.

Comedians Jeremy Hardy, Mark Steel, Shazia Mirza and Reginald D Hunter will appear on the bill
with three Jewish artistes - stand-up comic Ivor Dembina, poet and broadcaster Michael Rosen and journalist-author Mike Marqusee.

The show, 60 Years - What a State!, will take place in London on 8th May 2008, the same night
as the Zionist Federation stages its Israel 60 gala, with comedian Jackie Mason and Israeli singer Sarit Hadad, a few miles away in Wembley.

60 Years - What a State! will start at 8.30 pm at the Interchange Studios, Hampstead Town Hall, 213 Haverstock Hill, London NW3 4QP.

Money raised from 60 Years - What a State! will go to:

o B'Tselem, the Israeli Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.

o Friends of Freedom and Justice - Bilin, a non-violent campaign against the separation wall in the territories.

o The National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns.

The show has been organised by the Jewish Socialists' Group, which opposes Israel's occupation and supports Israelis and Palestinians campaigning for peace and justice.

This news follows reports that Israel has approved nearly 1,700 new settlers' homes since
renewing peace talks and many critically ill Palestinians have died in besieged Gaza after waiting for permits to travel for treatment in Israel.

Tickets, price £10 or £8 concessions, are available at www.jewishsocialist.org.uk (079 0591 7425).

Dembina, who will compere the event, said: 'The Palestinians' misery and hardship amid the
occupation gives no cause for celebration. We urge people who care about human rights to give the Wembley gala a red card and back our show.'