US Satire Show Criticized for 'Genocide' Joke About Israeli Elections
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
The pro-Israel group StandWithUs has criticized SNL comedian Michael Che for a joke linking Israeli elections to genocide. Che's "Weekend Update" segment suggested voters were on the "genocide side," playing on words. StandWithUs highlighted broad participation in the elections, including from Arab parties, and called the joke anti-Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the remark as outrageous, recalling Che's controversial 2021 vaccine joke.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- StandWithUs condemned SNL's Michael Che for a joke linking Israeli elections to genocide.
- Che's joke played on the phrase 'right side' and the word 'genocide' during a segment on voter turnout.
- The organization emphasized broad participation in Israeli elections, including from Arab parties.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Che's joke "simply outrageous."
- Che previously faced criticism in 2021 for a joke about Israeli COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
The pro-Israel advocacy group StandWithUs has strongly condemned comedian Michael Che, a segment anchor on the American satirical show "Saturday Night Live" (SNL), for a joke that linked Israel's recent elections to accusations of genocide. During the show aired on Saturday night, Che commented on the voter turnout in Israel, stating, "A record number of people voted in Israel last week, and it's great to see, no matter if you're on the right side, the left side, or the genocide side." The joke played on the English phrase "right side" and the word "genocide."
StandWithUs denounced the remarks, emphasizing the participation of citizens from all sectors in the Israeli elections. "Israelis from all sectors and backgrounds, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, and others, voted last week, and the turnout was the highest since 1999. Arab parties received a record number of votes," the organization stated. They added, "Instead of celebrating democracy where every citizen has the right to vote, Michael Che used his 'Weekend Update' segment to repeat the lie of genocide committed by Israel, through another anti-Israel 'joke'... Right or left, one thing is clear: Che is on the wrong side. The only real joke is thinking this is comedy."
Che has faced criticism for his past comments about Israel on the show. In 2021, he caused controversy by referencing Israel's COVID-19 vaccination campaign and implying that only Jews were receiving the vaccines. "Israel is reporting that they've vaccinated half of their population, and I'm guessing it's the Jewish half," Che said at the time. Following those remarks, Jewish organizations in the United States protested and demanded an apology from the show's producers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also criticized the recent joke, calling it "simply outrageous."
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