Comedian Reginald D Hunter faces backlash over Israel joke

Eastwood Park Theatre in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, has canceled a scheduled performance by comedian Reginald D Hunter, following accusations that his jokes during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival were antisemitic. The decision was made after two audience members, believed to be Israeli, heckled Hunter over a joke that compared Israel to an abusive partner. The theatre's management cited "controversial comments" as the reason for the cancellation, emphasizing their commitment to community values of diversity and inclusion. In a statement, East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure defended the freedom of expression for artists but acknowledged the need to uphold community standards. All ticket holders will receive refunds. The Campaign Against Antisemitism expressed concern over the incident, stating that comedians have a responsibility to their audience and should not tolerate antisemitic behavior. Police Scotland confirmed they were aware of the situation but found no crime had been committed. Hunter, known for his provocative style, later addressed the incident on social media, expressing regret for any distress caused. He described the situation as unfortunate and reiterated his stance against war and bullying. Critics, including Dominic Cavendish from The Telegraph, labeled the performance as one of the most unpleasant comedy gigs they had attended, highlighting the tension between Hunter and the heckling audience members. The incident has sparked discussions about the boundaries of comedy and the responsibilities of performers, particularly in the context of sensitive political issues.