Why Comedians Roasting Gaza Protesters Sparked Controversy

By Alex Assoune Oct 14, 2025

Since the Israel–Hamas war reignited in October 2023, emotions have run high. Protests have filled campuses, social media has turned into a battlefield, and even comedy has become political territory.

What started as a few viral jokes mocking Gaza protests has turned into a global storm. Comedians like Andrew Schulz, Shahar Cohen, and Noa Tishby are being praised for “telling the truth” — and slammed for “mocking the oppressed.”

In today’s polarized culture, every punchline is political. And the question is no longer “Is it funny?” but “Whose side are you on?”

👉 Watch the viral compilation here:

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The Rise of Anti-Protest Satire

It started in late 2023 with Israel’s hit sketch show Eretz Nehederet (“A Wonderful Country”). Their viral bit, “Columbia Untisemity News,” mocked American student protesters as naïve, privileged, and clueless about the Middle East.

One character proudly says their college welcomes “LGBTQH” — “the H for Hamas, because it’s trending right now.” The sketch racked up over 17 million views, splitting audiences between laughter and outrage.

Soon, comedies and podcasts around the world joined in, roasting protest signs, chants, and social media “activism.” For some, it was a refreshing pushback against woke hypocrisy. For others, it was cruel and dehumanizing.

Andrew Schulz: The Provocateur

Few comedians ride the line between bold and brutal like Andrew Schulz. On his Flagrant podcast, Schulz roasted protesters as “self-hating Jews” and joked that people in Gaza “don’t care about these campus protests.”

The backlash came fast — Reddit threads accused him of racism and “Zionist bullying.” But Schulz doubled down:

“Comedy’s supposed to make you uncomfortable,” he said. “That’s where the truth hides.”

His unapologetic tone made him a hero to free-speech fans — and a villain to progressive critics. Schulz’s Gaza jokes now rank among his most controversial bits, but also some of his most-viewed.

From Israel to the Internet: Satire Goes Global

What began in Tel Aviv quickly spread online. Clips from Eretz Nehederet and American comedians flooded YouTube, Rumble, and TikTok.

Ryan Long mocked Hollywood stars who didn’t know “which side to post about.”
Shahar Cohen joked about Western double standards toward Israel.
Noa Tishby, part comedian and activist, went viral interviewing U.S. protesters who didn’t know Hamas runs Gaza.

These sketches blend comedy, politics, and activism — sometimes brilliantly, sometimes recklessly.

The Backlash

Not everyone found it funny. Critics called the trend “punching down” at traumatized people. Online activists accused comedians of turning suffering into content.

Tweets and headlines called it everything from “propaganda” to “hate speech.” Others, especially in the U.S. and Israel, defended the roasts as satire doing its job — exposing absurdity and double standards.

As one Israeli producer said:

“Comedy is how we survive anxiety. You can’t ban laughter just because it’s uncomfortable.”

Free Speech vs. Sensitivity

The Gaza roasts have reignited a deeper question:
Can comedy still tell hard truths in a time when everything offends someone?

Supporters say humor is free speech — a vital way to challenge mob thinking.
Critics argue that comedians with big platforms should show restraint during real human suffering.

But the split reveals more than taste in jokes — it shows how deeply culture has fractured. What one group sees as courage, another sees as cruelty.

A Mirror of the Times

Whether you agree or not, these roasts reflect where society stands. Comedy has become a mirror — showing how divided we are, how emotional politics has become, and how truth itself is now up for debate.

The Gaza protest roasts prove one thing:
Laughter still makes people think.
It just depends on what they’re thinking about.

Conclusion

As protests fade but outrage continues online, comedians face a choice — stay silent or keep pushing boundaries.

And as the lines between humor, politics, and activism blur, one truth remains:
Comedy can unite or divide, heal or hurt — but it always reveals what we’re afraid to say out loud.

👉 Watch the viral compilation here:

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

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