The National Jewish Assembly (NJA) expresses profound outrage over the recent antisemitic incident involving comedian Reginald D Hunter at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. During a performance, two Israeli audience members were subjected to vile abuse after objecting to a deeply offensive joke comparing Israel to an abusive husband. The couple was subsequently jeered, sworn at, and driven out of the venue by fellow spectators shouting “Free Palestine” and hurling slurs.
This despicable episode marks a sickening low in public discourse, one that cannot be disguised as comedy. The fact that the couple was targeted simply for being Israeli is a clear manifestation of antisemitism, a hateful ideology that has no place in any civilised society.
NJA Chairman Gary Mond stated, “This incident is a stark reminder that antisemitism is alive and thriving, even in spaces that claim to champion free expression. The failure to condemn such vile behaviour unequivocally not only emboldens the perpetrators but also sends a dangerous message that hatred against Jews is somehow acceptable. This must stop.”
The NJA also denounces the response from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe organisers, who failed to take decisive action in the face of this blatant antisemitism. While creative freedom of expression is important, it does not give license to promote hate and bigotry under the guise of humour. The safety and dignity of all attendees must be paramount, and the Fringe’s lukewarm response is deeply troubling.
Moreover, the NJA calls on all public figures and organisations to take a firm stand against such acts of hatred. The disturbing trend of normalising antisemitism under the veneer of political commentary or satire must be challenged head-on.
