The Anti-Defamation League has condemned comments made by Dave Chappelle this weekend on Saturday Night Live.
The comedian took aim at Kanye West in his 15-minute monologue and reflected on the rapper’s sudden downfall after making antisemitic remarks on social media and in interviews.
Chappelle said he denounces antisemitism “in all its forms,” adding, ” I stand with my friends in the Jewish community. And that Kanye, is how you buy yourself some time.”
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Later in his comments, the comic mentioned West’s remarks in an October interview, when the rapper said Jewish people run Hollywood.
“He broke the show business rules. There’s a rule, the rules of perception. If they’re Black, then it’s a gang. If they’re Italian, it’s a mob. But if they’re Jewish, it’s a coincidence and you should never speak about it,” Chappelle said.
He then seemingly agreed with West’s assessment.
“I’ve been to Hollywood and this is just what I saw — it’s a lot of Jews, like a lot. But that doesn’t mean anything. There’s a lot of Black people in Ferguson, Missouri, but that doesn’t mean we run the place,” he added.
The comedian’s comments drew criticism from ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt on Sunday morning.
“We shouldn’t expect @DaveChappelle to serve as society’s moral compass, but disturbing to see @nbcsnl not just normalize but popularize #antisemitism. Why are Jewish sensitivities denied or diminished at almost every turn? Why does our trauma trigger applause?” Greenblatt tweeted.
We shouldn't expect @DaveChappelle to serve as society's moral compass, but disturbing to see @nbcsnl not just normalize but popularize #antisemitism. Why are Jewish sensitivities denied or diminished at almost every turn? Why does our trauma trigger applause?
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) November 13, 2022
