Fan Tells Dave Chappelle To “Shut Up”, Comedian Blasts Israel, Sparking Walkout, Report Says

Dave Chappelle sparked a walkout during a show in Boston after criticizing Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and accused the US of aiding in the slaughter of civilians, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing people in attendance. 

Chappelle’s “cell phone-free” performance was at the TD Garden arena in downtown Boston on Thursday evening, according to Ticketmaster’s website. 

The people said Chappelle criticized Hamas for the Oct. 7 attack, but also denounced the Israeli government’s bombing of Gaza, as well as the US’ support of the war effort. 

Here’s the moment the brouhaha started between Chappelle and audience members: 

The comments came up when Chappelle said he didn’t think students should lose job offers for supporting Palestinians. An audience member’s command for the comedian to shut up drew an emotional response from Chappelle, who criticized the Israeli government for cutting off water and other essentials to Gaza and accused it of killing innocent people, according to the attendees.

Some audience members cheered Chappelle on and shouted, “Free Palestine,” while others yelled, “What about Hamas,” the attendees said. Some in the crowd got up and left. Toward the conclusion of his show, he said of Israeli policies and the Hamas attacks that two wrongs don’t make a right, the people said.

If WSJ’s reporting is correct, this shows how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has accelerated polarization across the US.