Some of Dave Chappelle’s fans weren’t laughing when the comedian decided to weigh in on Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
A number of attendees even left the venue when after Chappelle criticized Israel’s role in the war during his Thursday night show at TD Garden in Boston.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the dramatic moment started when Chappelle referred to Israel’s counter-attacks against Hamas as “war crimes” and accused Israel of slaughtering innocent civilians.
Although Chappelle, 50, had reportedly condemned Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, the comic further criticized Israeli government officials for cutting off water and “other essentials” to Gaza.
He also expressed his belief that students should not be denied job offers because of their decision to support Palestine, which resulted in a heckler yelling at Chappelle to “shut up.”
Audience members were torn by the remarks, with some cheering “Free Palestine,” while others shouted “What about Hamas?”
As tension rose in the venue, fans began to make their exit, according to the outlet.
“The audience was cheering Chappelle on during his tirade. I was sick. We were sick. I turned to my friends and wife and said, ‘I think it is time to go,'” one attendee posted on social media, per the Daily Mail.
“We walked out and met up with many other Jews leaving the show. Never in my life have I felt so unsafe and so fearful of what I was witnessing.”
Interestingly enough, a spokesperson for Chappelle told WSJ that he “denies being in Boston” that night despite the Thursday event being one of his scheduled tour stops.
The comedian’s remarks came amid the deadly conflict in Gaza between Israelis and Hamas terrorists.
On Oct. 7, the government-labeled terrorist group Hamas launched what would be the biggest attack on Gaza in over 50 years.
The Israeli government has since responded with force as the two battle over land that they both believe they are entitled to after decades of displacement and disagreement.
Thousands of Israelis and Palestinians have died as a result, while the ongoing war continues to be widely debated.
