Israeli Audience Booed at Edinburgh Fringe

American comedian Reginald D Hunter has sparked controversy following an incident at his Edinburgh Fringe performance on August 11, where he faced backlash after an Israeli couple heckled him. Hunter, who has been based in the UK since 1997, was performing his show "Fluffy Fluffy Beavers" when he made a provocative joke comparing Israel to an abusive partner. This comment reportedly elicited laughter from the audience, but the couple's disapproval led to a hostile reaction from other attendees. According to reports, the couple shouted "not funny" in response to Hunter's joke, prompting a wave of hostility from the audience, with some shouting phrases like "you're not welcome" and "genocidal maniac." The couple ultimately left the venue, the Assembly George Square Studios, amid the uproar. Hunter defended his performance, suggesting that while the couple found the joke offensive, the majority of the audience did not share their sentiment. The Assembly Festival, which oversees the venue, confirmed that an audience member chose to leave the show. The incident has drawn criticism from the Campaign for Antisemitism, which described the events as "extremely concerning" and indicative of a troubling trend in comedy. This controversy follows a similar incident at London’s Soho Theatre, where Jewish audience members reported feeling unsafe during a performance by comedian Paul Currie, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding comedy and sensitive topics.