(JTA) — The French comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala, creator of the quenelle gesture that has been characterized as anti-Semitic, was banned from entering Britain.
British newspapers reported Monday that Dieudonne is subject to an exclusion order by the Home Office.
Dieudonne reportedly had announced that he would visit London to support Nicolas Anelka, a French national playing for the West Bromwich Albion British soccer team, who has been charged by Britain’s Football Association for performing the quenelle after scoring a goal.
“We can confirm that Mr. Dieudonne is subject to an exclusion order,” a Home Office spokeswoman told British media. “The home secretary will seek to exclude an individual from the U.K. if she considers that there are public policy or public security reasons to do so.”
Earlier this month, Dieudonne, who has been convicted seven times for inciting racial hatred against Jews, was banned from performing live on stage in several French cities.
Dieudonne has said the quenelle, which is based on a Nazi salute, is not anti-Semitic but anti-establishment.
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