Comedian Dave Chappelle accused Israel of committing “genocide” in the Gaza Strip during his performance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday.
Israel launched its war on Hamas after the group’s Oct. 7 attack more than seven months ago, and has destroyed Gaza’s cities and killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians. Chappelle said Gaza is experiencing “genocide,” according to The Associated Press.
He added that Americans should be more involved in curbing the rise of antisemitism in the U.S. so Jews would feel safer and not have to rely on Israel.
His Thursday remarks in the UAE’s capital of Abu Dhabi come as Israel has faced increased criticism over its military campaign in Gaza.
Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack killed about 1,200 Israelis, and the Palestinian militant group took about 250 hostages — about half who have not been returned.
The Israel-Hamas war has prompted pro-Palestinian rallies throughout the Middle East, although free expression has been tightly controlled in the UAE, the AP noted.
The crowd in the Etihad Arena on Thursday cheered when a woman screamed “Free Palestine,” according to AP.
Some cheers were also heard when the longtime comedian discussed the 2024 U.S. presidential election, particularly when he mentioned former President Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee. When invoking President Biden’s name, the crowd booed.
Chappelle also made a quip about the UAE’s widespread surveillance network and about “how difficult is it to be gay” in the country, where homosexuality is illegal, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The UAE has criticized Israel’s handling of its operations in the Gaza Strip while also attempting to maintain diplomatic relationship between the two nations.