Dave Chappelle Says Boston’s Alleged Remarks on Israel and Hamas Are ‘Hearsay’ – Deadline

Comedian Dave Chappelle used a tour stop in North Carolina on Wednesday to claim that reports of what he allegedly said about the conflict between Israel and Hamas last weekend in Boston were all “rumours.”

“Right now, I’m in trouble because the Jewish community is upset,” Chappelle said at his show in North Carolina, according to the New York Times. “But I can’t express this enough: No matter what you read about that show in Boston, you’ll never see quotes around anything I said. They don’t know what I said.”

The Wall Street Journal reported that audience members walked out of Chappelle’s show in Boston when he spoke about the Middle East.

“That night, I said something about Palestine in Boston and was misquoted around the world,” the comedian said. “I will not repeat what I said”

The Times reported that a woman in the audience shouted “Free Palestine” in response.

“Please, please, miss,” he said. “Listen. Don’t start it or I’ll be in the news cycle for another week. What’s happening in the Middle East is bigger than everyone else.”

He described the situation in Israel as a “nightmare,” but added that “what is happening in Palestine is a nightmare.”

“There are only two kinds of people in the world: people who love others, and people who have things that make them afraid to love others. Pray for everyone in Israel. Pray for everyone in Palestine.”

Chappelle does not allow phones at his shows, so there is no audio/video recording of the Boston show.