Social media users have condemned a political activist who filmed himself harassing comedian Matt Lucas on the London Underground, repeatedly demanding he respond to Palestine-related questions despite the actor never having made public statements on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The 51-year-old, who comes from a Jewish family and describes himself as an atheist, has not publicly commented on Middle Eastern politics or the Israeli-Palestinian situation. Nevertheless, an unidentified man targeted him during a journey on the Tube system, recording the encounter on his mobile phone.
The footage, which was subsequently deleted by its original poster, had already been copied and shared across multiple social media accounts before being erased. Response to the video has been predominantly anger directed at the man recording and the hostility displayed towards Lucas.
The confrontation began on adjacent escalators travelling in the same direction, with the man initially muttering “Free Palestine” before raising his camera to film Lucas. The comedian immediately attempted to avoid interaction, holding his hand to his face in an effort to conceal his identity.
As both men reached the end of their escalators, the activist positioned himself in Lucas’s path, blocking his progress whilst continuing to repeat variations of “Free Palestine” and asking whether Lucas liked what he was wearing, though his attire remained hidden from camera view.
Lucas attempted to defuse the situation by greeting the man with “Hi, how are you?” but the activist persisted, asking “Have you got a problem with Palestinians, Matt?”
The comedian responded with a surprised “No” before the exchange concluded near another set of escalators. Lucas appeared to motion towards the phone in what witnesses interpreted as an attempt to stop the recording, prompting the activist to state “You can’t do that, you can’t grab my stuff” before refocusing his camera on Lucas departing up another escalator.
The man did not follow Lucas further according to the footage that circulated online.
The incident represents the latest example of public figures being confronted over Middle Eastern politics regardless of whether they have expressed positions on the conflict. Lucas’s lack of any public statement on Palestine or Israel-Hamas matters did not prevent him being targeted during what appeared to be routine public transport use.
Social media users who viewed the circulated footage expressed anger at the confrontational approach taken by the activist, with many defending Lucas’s right to travel without harassment over political issues on which he has maintained silence.
The deletion of the original footage suggests the poster may have reconsidered sharing the confrontation after initial posting, though the rapid spread of copies across social media platforms meant the material remained accessible despite removal attempts.
Neither Lucas nor representatives have issued public comment following the incident or the circulation of footage showing the Underground confrontation. The comedian continues maintaining his previous position of not making statements on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Transport for London has not commented on the incident or whether any security concerns were raised regarding the confrontation on Underground premises. The organization operates policies regarding behaviour on the Tube network, though application of these rules to political activism and filming remains subject to interpretation.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Middle Eastern politics in British public spaces and the targeting of individuals based on perceived religious or ethnic backgrounds rather than stated political positions.
