Maher: “We’ve Gone From Mel Gibson to Kanye!”
On Friday night’s edition of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” the comic’s panel guests were Ian Bremmer and Fareed Zakaria, and his interview guest was Congressman and Democratic primary challenger Dean Phillips (D-MN).
During his monologue, Maher devoted several jokes to the rise in anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incidents, including a slam on the two now-infamous celebrities:
“The FBI director, Christopher Wray, he testified at the Senate panel on anti-Semitism. It’s at historic levels. The threat level, they say, has gone from Mel Gibson to Kanye. No, it’s it’s not funny. And especially in a city like this, we have a lot of Jewish people. Couple here today, I hope. All right.
“But we see it. I mean, Canter’s Deli is right down the street here. You saw this coming, vandalized. People wrote on it. Things like ‘Israel’s only religion is capitalism.’
“And ‘How many dead in the name of greed?’ they wrote. Of course, that one was just about the pastrami, but.
“We make a lot of. But yes, the ground war has now started in the Middle East and Gaza. Israeli troops are going building by building, hoping to root out Hamas-supporting radicals. And if it works there, they’re going to try it at Cornell. I never liked it there anyway.
Rashida Tlaib starts crying while speaking during the debate on her censure resolution for her anti-Semitism and then goes right back to talking how she did before a few seconds later. pic.twitter.com/dsXzZysnnO
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 7, 2023
“And this is big news. Trial news. You were following the crypto con man, Sam Bank. Sam Bankman-Fried found today guilty on all counts. Yeah, well. So that should really put a damper on all this antisemitism, huh?
“Well, it’s and it’s hard to get outraged for his victims. Right. You know, that magic bean salesman took my money and never came back!”
Right now on Bedford Ave. #FreeTheHostages#antisemitism pic.twitter.com/vJS7RA5FcM
— Becca (@rebecca_rosado_) November 6, 2023
Maher’s jokes about the rise in anti-Semitism come as the country is grappling with a number of high-profile incidents of anti-Semitic violence and harassment. In May, a gunman opened fire at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, killing two people and holding four hostages hostage. In July, a man drove a car into a group of Jewish people in Los Angeles, injuring eight.
The rise in anti-Semitism has been condemned by leaders of all major political parties, as well as by religious and civil rights groups. However, the problem persists, and it is unclear what can be done to stop it.
Another young woman from New York City spotted destroying posters of Israeli civilians kidnapped by Hamas.
She says she “isn’t ashamed” and when asked by a man passing by why she is doing it, she says that the people on the posters “are fake”@StopAntisemites
Via @jewuner pic.twitter.com/hU9zvIUwCL
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) November 8, 2023
Analysis
Maher’s jokes about the rise in anti-Semitism are likely to be met with mixed reactions. Some people will find them to be offensive, while others will appreciate the humor. However, there is no doubt that the jokes are timely and relevant.
The rise in anti-Semitism is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Maher’s jokes may not be the solution, but they can help to raise awareness of the issue and start a conversation about how to combat it.
It is important to note that Maher is not the only comedian who has joked about anti-Semitism. In fact, there is a long history of Jewish comedians using humor to address anti-Semitism. However, it is important to do so in a way that is not offensive or harmful.
Maher’s jokes about the rise in anti-Semitism are likely to spark debate and controversy. However, they are also likely to make people think about the issue and start a conversation about how to address it.