Max Oddball, a celebrity juggler and founder of Oddballs Toyshop in Brighton and London, has been suspended by his son, the managing director of the company. This follows anti-Israel comments by Max Oddball to Israeli customers in the shop.
On Sunday, 23 July, an Israeli customer and two of his friends were browsing the toys and games on display at Oddballs Toyshop in Brighton. The business was founded by Phillip Maxwell-Stewart, a professional juggler, also known as Max Oddball. Having chosen two games to buy, the customer was waiting to pay when the shopkeeper asked where he and his friends were from. One of the group said that they were from Israel.
The shopkeeper, who we understand was Max Oddball himself, replied, “I thought you were Israelis”, and then started talking about how terrible things are in Israel, the beauty of Palestine and claiming that Israel is an apartheid state. One of the group said to him, “Let’s not spoil the party; we just want to pay and go”. He replied: “To be honest, I don’t think I want to serve you”. According to the Israeli customers, Max Oddball made it clear that he was unwilling to sell to Israelis in his shop.
The Israeli customer got in touch with UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), who wrote to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission regarding what happened in Oddballs Toyshop. UKLFI’s letter argued that by asking for their nationality, and then haranguing them about the Israeli government’s actions, Phillip Maxwell-Stewart discriminated against and harassed the Israeli customers in contravention of section 29 of the Equality Act 2010. UKLFI also wrote to Mr Maxwell-Stewart at Oddballs, asking them to respond to the Israeli customer’s account of what had happened in the shop.
A response to UKLFI’s letter was sent by Alex Maxwell Stewart, 35, who is apparently Max Oddball’s son, and managing director of Oddballs toyshop, which is run by JWS Europe Ltd. It said:
“No member of Oddballs staff has ever, or would ever refuse service on the basis of nationality, race or religion. We are aware of an incident that occurred in our shop between a customer and one of our staff who engaged in a debate about the conflict in Gaza. This led to the customer being offended and leaving. At no point was service refused.
We do not condone the discussion of politics or sensitive subjects that might cause offence. The opinions of this staff member were entirely their own. This member of staff has been suspended, pending disciplinary proceedings. We sincerely apologise for any offence this may have caused. Ultimately we are a circus shop with a passion to spread circus joy to all nations around the world with love.”
Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI, commented: “It is shocking if a shopkeeper is cross examining people if he thinks they may be Israeli, then haranguing them for the actions of their government, and refusing to serve them. It makes the UK seem an unwelcome place for Israelis, and for all Jews. This kind of action is illegal, as it breaches the Section 29 of the Equalities Act 2010.”
Alex Maxwell-Stewart is now the sole director of JWS Europe Ltd, whose previous name was Oddballs International Ltd. He is the joint owner of JWS Europe Ltd, along with Phillip Maxwell-Stewart (Max Odball), who resigned as a director in January this year.
Oddballs was founded in 1984 by Mr Phillip Maxwell-Stewart and now has branches in Brighton and Covent Garden, London, as well as an online store, specialising in juggling equipment. Max Oddball was a well-known entertainer and juggling specialist, who has appeared on a Bruce Forsyth programme, juggling burning skittles. In juggling politics with business, Max Oddball may have dropped the ball.