Dave Chappelle allegedly criticized Israel‘s bombing of Gaza at one of his recent Boston comedy tour stops.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the comedian initially condemned the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas during his show at TD Garden on Thursday, according to people in attendance. He reportedly then criticized Israel’s bombing of Gaza and accused the United States of aiding the slaughter of innocent people.
Those in attendance said Chappelle’s comments on the Israel-Hamas war came about after he said that he didn’t think students should lose their job offers for expressing their support for Palestinians. That’s when some people in the audience proceed to tell the comedian to “shut up,” evoking a response from Chappelle.
The comedian then allegedly went on to slam the Israeli government for cutting off water and other essential items to Gaza, as well as accused it of killing innocent civilians.
The attendees told the newspaper that some audience members cheered on Chappelle and shouted “Free Palestine” following his comments, while others yelled, “What about Hamas.”
He later reportedly added at the end of his show that “two wrongs don’t make a right” regarding Israeli policies and the Hamas attacks.
A spokesperson for the comedian told the WSJ that he “denies being in Boston last night,” though the TD Garden’s website shows Chappelle had two shows for his tour, Dave Chappelle Live: It’s a Celebration, B!%?#&$!, scheduled at the Boston event venue for Oct. 19 and 20. The Hollywood Reporter also has reached out to reps for Chappelle and TD Garden.
