From jokes to justice: How top comedians are confronting 'Israel’s' war on Gaza

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, a growing number of high-profile comedians are using their platforms to challenge silence, cut through misinformation, and voice solidarity with Palestinians, often at personal and professional risk.

From stand-up stages to podcast studios, these comedians are not just telling jokes, they are telling truths many are afraid to say out loud.

Bill Burr:

In a fiery exchange on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, comedian Bill Burr openly criticized Maher’s support of 'Israel’s' military actions in Gaza. Burr sided with pro-Palestine student protesters across US campuses, stating, “I’m on the side of the kids.”

He accused Maher of self-aggrandizement, comparing his commentary to fantasy football bravado. “Stop talking like you’re a general,” Burr snapped. “You’re like that guy that has a fantasy football team and thinks he’s a f***** GM.”*

Burr’s comments sparked praise for his unfiltered honesty and his willingness to defend young people demanding a ceasefire.

Additionally, Burr also took direct aim at one of the most common justifications for 'Israeli' strikes on civilian areas: the use of human shields. In one of his stand-up specials, Burr tore into the logic with brutal sarcasm,

“Yeah, I'm not allowed to do that. But it's still socially acceptable to shoot a missile in the general direction of somebody you're upset with. You're like, dude, there was, like, kids over there. This is my favorite response. ‘Well, you know, they're using kids as human shields.’ It's like, well, you gotta work around that. Jesus Christ. If I'm mad at my neighbor and I want to beat the s**t out of him, but he's holding a baby, right? I wouldn't come in and try to punch them through the baby. Yeah, you go in, you throw a hook, you sweep the legs, you do it on the lawn so the baby bounces off the grass. All right? There's f***** rules to this shit.”

Dave Chappelle:

No stranger to political controversy, Dave Chappelle repeatedly criticized 'Israel’s' actions in Gaza, referring to the military campaign as a “genocide.” During a recent show in Abu Dhabi, Chappelle delivered scathing commentary on US foreign policy, mocked Donald Trump’s strike on Iran, and questioned the silence of Palestinian celebrities.

“DJ Khaled, let me tell you something. For a Palestinian, this man is awfully quiet right now. And why are you so fat? People are starving,” he quipped.

He told his audience, “If I ever say, ‘I stand with Israel,’ just know they got to me.”

Chappelle also showed his support in his SNL monologue, which he was allegedly told not to mention Palestine. He urged empathy for all displaced people, “whether they're in the Palisades or Palestine.”

Gianmarco Soresi:

Half-Jewish, half-Italian comedian Gianmarco Soresi has emerged as one of the most outspoken voices against 'Israeli' policies.

On Mehdi Hasan’s podcast We’re Not Kidding, he discussed how Zionist politics weaponize Jewish identity.

“Israel and Netanyahu are screwing over American Jews,” he said, adding that right-wing defenders of Israel are “cozying up with people who are antisemites.”

His most prominent platform to challenge 'Israeli' narratives is on his X account, where he reposts and amplifies pro-Palestinian voices.

Theo Von:

In an emotional moment on his podcast This Past Weekend, comedian Theo Von spoke candidly about the crisis in Gaza.

“I don’t know a lot about the geopolitics,” he admitted, “but I know what genocide looks like, and it feels like we’re watching one happen.”

Von said the images of children and civilians under rubble haunted him. “There are people who can’t even speak, and I have a voice. I had to say something.”

Dave Smith:

Libertarian comedian and political podcaster Dave Smith has been unwavering in his support for Palestinians. A frequent guest on alternative media platforms, Smith has sharply condemned Zionism, defended the legitimacy of Palestinian resistance, and criticized what he sees as the US' complicity in ethnic cleansing.

He regularly challenges media narratives that paint Palestinian civilians as collateral damage, urging Americans to question the motives behind their government’s foreign policy.

While many celebrities have remained silent, or have been silenced, on Gaza, these comedians are showing that humor can be a vehicle for moral clarity. Whether through sarcasm, outrage, or solemnity, they are putting their reputations on the line to speak up for human rights.