Dave Chappelle’s SNL monologue about Jews sparks more criticism

American comedian Dave Chappelle performed a monologue on the television program “Saturday Night Live” about Kanye West’s antisemitic remarks, drawing fresh criticism from Jewish organizations.

Before beginning his 15-minute monologue Chappelle, who previously came under fire over his jokes about transgender people, pulled out a piece of paper, saying he was going to read a “brief statement.” 

“I denounce antisemitism in all its forms and I stand with my friends in the Jewish community. And that’s, Kanye, how you buy yourself some time,” Chapelle said to a laughing audience. 

He went on to share that over the course of his career in comedy he learned that no one “ever did good” after speaking about the Jews. 

“I grew up around Jewish people, I have a lot of Jewish friends, so I’m not freaked out by your culture,” he said, before making jokes about Jewish holidays and Orthodox Jews' appearance. 

Speaking about German sportswear giant Adidas breaking its contract with West over his antisemitic remarks, the comedian said that West “broke the show business rules.”

“You know the rules of perception - if they are black then it’s a gang, if they are Italian it’s a mob, but if they are Jewish, it’s a coincidence and you should never speak about it,” Chappelle said. 

“I’ve been to Hollywood and this is just what I saw: It’s a lot of Jews, like a lot,” Chappelle joked. 

Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said that the comedian’s performance did “not just normalize but popularize antisemitism.” 

“Why are Jewish sensitivities denied or diminished at almost every turn? Why does our trauma trigger applause?” Greenblatt tweeted on Sunday.