Dave Chappelle described the war in Gaza as "genocide" to cheers from a packed audience in Abu Dhabi on Thursday night.
The US comedian also urged Americans to fight anti-Semitism in all forms so that Jews do not feel the Israeli state is their sole protector.
“What is happening in Gaza is a direct result of anti-Semitism in the West,” he said.
“If you are in America, the best thing you can do is to make American-Jews feel safe, feel loved and supported so they can know they don't have to support a country that is committing genocide just to feel safe.”
The 50-year-old performed to a sold-out Etihad Arena on Thursday as part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Week.
Chappelle, a Muslim, spoke on a subject that deeply divides the United States, Israel's strongest ally - at a time when the biggest actors and performers are under pressure to state their views on the eight-month conflict.
Chappelle also spoke of the forthcoming US presidential election in November, describing Donald Trump’s branding of Joe Biden as “sleepy Joe” as politically devastating.
“We got a big election coming up and I don't know how it's going to end,” he said. “I don't know much about politics and I don't like talking about it, but I do know that if Donald J Trump gives you a nickname in American politics then you are finished.”
He voted for Biden in 2020, but Chappelle says the rematch this year presents a starker choice.
It is one he describes as a choice between living in the kind of illiberal world favoured by Trump’s fervent supporters and one filled with the equally chafing political correctness espoused by sections of Biden's Democratic party.
The best decision, he advises the UAE’s American community, is to enjoy the safety and social stability that their new homeland provides.
Chappelle stated that has he never felt as safe as during his visits to the UAE and promised to return for further shows. Walking off the stage to a standing ovation, he said “God bless the UAE, God bless Gaza and God bless the world.”
Abu Dhabi Comedy Week continues at Etihad Arena until Sunday.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
More on Quran memorisation:
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Neighbourhood Watch
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Zayed Sustainability Prize
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Co%20Chocolat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Iman%20and%20Luchie%20Suguitan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Food%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241%20million-plus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fahad%20bin%20Juma%2C%20self-funding%2C%20family%20and%20friends%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
