Dave Chappelle says there's a 'genocide' in the Gaza Strip as Israel-Hamas war rages on there

Dave Chappelle says there's a 'genocide' in the Gaza Strip as Israel-Hamas war rages on there

Dave Chappelle says there's a 'genocide' in the Gaza Strip as Israel-Hamas war rages on there

American comedian Dave Chappelle has said a “genocide” is striking the Gaza Strip amid the Israel-Hamas war to cheers during his performance in the capital of the United Arab Emirates

ByJON GAMBRELL Associated Press

May 23, 2024, 3:44 PM

    ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- American comedian Dave Chappelle said a “genocide” is striking the Gaza Strip amid the Israel-Hamas war to cheers during his performance in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, while urging Americans to fight antisemitism so Jews don’t feel like they need to be protected by Israel.

    Chappelle’s comments come as Abu Dhabi has maintained its diplomatic relations with Israel even as it has increasingly criticized its conduct in the seven-month war.

    Meanwhile, while pro-Palestinian marches have swept across the wider Middle East since the war began, protests and speech remains tightly restricted in the Emirates, a federation of seven sheikdoms on the Arabian Peninsula.

    Even before coming on stage, the full crowd at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena cheered as DJ Trauma, who accompanied Chappelle on the trip, played the song “My Blood is Palestinian” by the Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf. The thousands there agreed to place their switched-off mobile phones in locked pouches for the performance — a standard feature of Chappelle's shows.

    About halfway through in a wide-ranging comedy set in Abu Dhabi, Chappelle, a Muslim, initially said he had been told by his friends either to discuss the war or not. From the audience, a woman screamed: “Free Palestine!” The crowd cheered.

    Chappelle then said the Gaza Strip faces a “genocide." He also said that making Jews safer in America amid rising cases of antisemitism would make them realize they don’t need Israel as an ultimate protector.

    Another moment also displayed just how diverse the crowd was in the Abu Dhabi. In telling another joke about how Jews cheer while drinking, Chappelle said “l’chaim,” or “to life” in Hebrew, which another man shouted back from the audience.

    But when touching on the upcoming U.S. election, Chappelle’s mention of President Joe Biden — who has promised “ironclad” support for Israel — drew widespread boos throughout the arena. Donald Trump drew scattered cheers.

    Chappelle, as other artists during the performance, told some racy jokes and swore. But they largely avoided discussing local politics — though Chappelle did make a sly joke about the UAE’s widespread surveillance network and another deadpanning about “how difficult is it to be gay” in the country as homosexuality is illegal.

    But he also came out on stage with a falcon on his arm — a symbol for the UAE.

    Chappelle, 50, won the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2019. He performed at the Abu Dhabi Comedy Week.

    OTHER NEWS

    4 hrs ago

    Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy 'getting fed up' with owner Jerry Jones: report

    4 hrs ago

    Who Should Steelers Hope Wins Training Camp QB Battle?

    4 hrs ago

    Goaltender's dad talks up the Oilers' chances of lifting the Stanley Cup

    4 hrs ago

    Phillies turn rare 1-3-5 triple play against Tigers, 1st since 1929

    4 hrs ago

    Discount Burger Check? Chiefs' Reid Shares Hilarious Commercial Story

    4 hrs ago

    'Devastating loss': Digital lending library, Internet Archive, removes 500,000 books after being sued by publishers

    4 hrs ago

    Iga Swiatek vs Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina: WTA ‘Big 4’ state of play ahead of Wimbledon

    4 hrs ago

    Would a Toronto byelection loss spell doom for Trudeau?

    4 hrs ago

    BlackSuit ransomware gang blamed for ongoing car dealership outages

    4 hrs ago

    'Unreal' injury-time equaliser saves football powerhouse

    4 hrs ago

    Nigel Farage accused of cosying up to the Kremlin by former NATO boss

    4 hrs ago

    Dagestan, in southern Russia, has a history of violence. Why does it keeps happening?

    4 hrs ago

    Marines revive a World War II airfield on Peleliu in Pacific pivot

    4 hrs ago

    Fortnite Brings Tilted Towers and Other Fan Favorite Locations, But With a Twist

    4 hrs ago

    Shadow of the Erdtree Puts the Cherry on Top of Elden Rings Main Strength

    4 hrs ago

    Anger erupts as Albo's governor-general is awarded payrise

    4 hrs ago

    Charo Makes Rare Public Appearance at Project Angel Food Event: 'Life Is Beautiful' (Exclusive)

    4 hrs ago

    Boozed-up England fans sing '10 German bombers' chant in Cologne

    4 hrs ago

    Show Respect: ‘Boys are surprised we talk about this, it’s become normalised’

    4 hrs ago

    After clash with prosecutor, judge reserves ruling on restricting Trump’s rhetoric about agents’ classified documents search

    4 hrs ago

    Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan ‘doesn’t deliver’ any ‘energy price decrease’ until 2040

    4 hrs ago

    Where to watch Netherlands vs. Austria live stream, TV channel, lineups, prediction for Euro 2024 match

    4 hrs ago

    China lunar probe to return to Earth with samples

    4 hrs ago

    Report: Knicks’ OG Anunoby declines player option, enters unrestricted free agency

    4 hrs ago

    Saints offensive line ranked 19th in the NFL

    4 hrs ago

    Senators acquire goaltender Linus Ullmark from Bruins

    4 hrs ago

    Why Qld feels like home for the Blues

    4 hrs ago

    Seahawks waive 3 undrafted free agents, make UFL champ signing official

    4 hrs ago

    Andrew Scott Frantically Runs to Hear Taylor Swift's ‘Style' at 'Eras Tour'

    4 hrs ago

    England’s Test series v New Zealand: Date, kick-off time and TV channel

    4 hrs ago

    Bills' McDermott Says Von Miller Has ‘Something to Prove’

    4 hrs ago

    US prosecutors want Boeing to face criminal charges

    4 hrs ago

    Finance Minister Michael McGrath set to become Ireland's new EU Commissioner

    4 hrs ago

    Red-hot Cardinals get huge boost in return of star catcher

    4 hrs ago

    How police use the mail to spy on you: 60,000 cases in last decade with little pushback

    4 hrs ago

    These 3 Republicans are Trump’s most likely VP picks

    4 hrs ago

    Roy Jones Jr. announces his son, DeAndre, died by suicide

    4 hrs ago

    Luxury Gyms, Like Equinox and Life Time, Are Taking Over Big Retail Spaces

    4 hrs ago

    Automobili Pininfarina PURA Vision wins prestigious Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2024

    4 hrs ago

    Pop legend Robbie Williams wears his AFL jersey to see if he still gets recognised in London - with some very surprising results