Jewish Comedian Goes Viral After Audience Member Asks About Israel

A Jewish comedian is taking over TikTok with her "brave" stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

During a recent performance in a comedy club, an audience member asked Ashley Gavin: "How do you feel about Israel?" Her answer, which contained strong language, has caused a stir online.

On October 7, Hamas launched a shock attack on Israel by land, air and sea, killing at least 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages, according to the Associated Press. Israel subsequently began airstrikes in the Gaza Strip as well as launching ground operations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country is at war and has stopped food and medicine from entering Gaza, as well as cutting off energy supplies. As of November 23, more than 14,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Reuters, while three-quarters of Gaza's population has been displaced.

In response to the audience member's question about the conflict, Gavin said: "What do you mean how do I feel about it? How the f*** am I supposed to feel about it?"

The crowd bursts into laughter, with Gavin asking: "How am I supposed to make this funny? The ghost of George Carlin couldn't make this f****** funny.

"What do you want me to say? A Rabbi and a Palestinian walked into a bar."

After the joke lands, she yells, "Yo Rabbi so fat!" in the style of a classic "Yo momma" quip. Seemingly stunned by the laughter, Gavin screams at the audience member "I just f****** did it b****."

She then asks if the woman is also Jewish. When she confirms that she is, Gavin tells her: "You have to be. That'd be super weird if you weren't Jewish or Palestinian, because no one just plain white is like: 'Yeah, talk about it, we wanna hear it.'"

Gavin tells the crowd that she is "not a Zionist"—someone who believes in the development and conservation of a Jewish state in Palestine.

"If you're asking if the lesbian comedian has a solution, uhhhh...no...," she continues. "I think what's happening is going to be a genocide."

Newsweek has reached out to Ashley Gavin for comment by email.

Gavin shared the performance to TikTok on Wednesday, where it went viral and received over 278,000 views and more than 40,000 likes.

Many users praised Gavin's handling of the situation, with Dre calling her "brave."

"That was such a good response," agreed Hanna Sadat.

"You are literally a gem that needs to be protected at all costs," said kirfish.

However, other TikTokers criticized Gavin's response, with user5980535169073 calling her "ignorant."

"A disappointing response with little understanding of history," wrote JoshyJosh13.

"As a long time follower of [yours] and someone who is suffering in isreal [right now] I hate to see this," said Feelingsfeelings, to which Gavin replied: "I genuinely wish no one was suffering. I only want peace."

Since the fighting began, many public figures have shared their thoughts on the Israel-Hamas war, leading to cancellation calls.

Celebrities who have been slammed for their support of Israel include Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp, Jewish American comedians Amy Schumer and Sarah Silverman, Israeli actress Gal Gadot and Will and Grace star Debra Messing.

Famous faces to come under fire for supporting Palestinians include Oscar-winner Susan Sarandon, Lebanese former adult film star Mia Khalifa, Scream actress Melissa Barrera, The Incredible Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo and singer Zara Larsson.