Ahead of his much-anticipated comedy show scheduled for Friday night at the Vic Theater in Chicago, which has sparked protests from pro-Palestinian activists, veteran actor and comedian Michael Rapaport vehemently criticized the rise of cancel culture and voiced his discontent with the demonstrators outside his venue.
Rapaport, who proudly identifies as Jewish, maintains a strong allegiance to Israel and its military responses in the ongoing conflict with Hamas, garnering significant backlash from critics due to various posts on his social media platforms that address the contentious situation.
The current conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, following a brutal, Hamas-led incursion into Israel that resulted in the tragic loss of approximately 1,200 lives, primarily among civilians, and saw around 250 individuals taken hostage.
According to statements made by outgoing Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, there are still 101 hostages held captive in Gaza, raising concerns and drawing attention to the humanitarian aspects of this enduring conflict.
Over the past 13 months of hostilities, Gaza has suffered tremendously, with more than 43,500 Palestinians reported dead according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not specify whether casualties were combatants or civilians.
“If it was someone’s thoughts, ideas, sexuality, this would be unacceptable,” Rapaport stated emphatically during an interview with NBC Chicago’s Charlie Wojciechowski outside his hotel. “But because this is Jewish, veiled in Zionist, it’s somehow palatable in 2024 and I will not back down,” he asserted, resolutely defending his stance ahead of the show.
In response, Hatem Abudayyeh from the U.S. Palestinian Community Network condemned Rapaport as a racist and revealed that their organization has actively reached out to the Vic Theater and Jam Productions, employing phone calls and messages to push for the cancellation of the performance.
“Chicago has the largest Palestinian population in the U.S., and it is a slap in the face to our community and all those in our city who stand for justice to host an ‘artist’ who wholeheartedly supports the mass murder of Palestinian families,” Rania Salem, a member of the USPCN, expressed in a statement outlining the rationale behind the protests.
“Jewry was kind of being silenced from the zeitgeist here in Chicago, so we were kind of birthed as an organization to continue having Jewish events here in the city,” Schwartz remarked in a conversation with NBC Chicago, highlighting the community’s desire for representation.
The timing of Rapaport’s show comes just one day after a shocking incident in Amsterdam, where Israeli soccer fans were attacked during clashes following a match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv, demonstrating the escalating tensions surrounding the broader conflict.
“The last 24 hours, what happened in Amsterdam, was a historic, atrocious, horrible event,” Rapaport declared. “It was an attack on Jews for being Jewish, period,” underscoring the antisemetic nature of the violence.
Governments, including those of the Netherlands and Israel, alongside several European nations, have condemned the attacks as clear manifestations of antisemitism, responding to the rising tide of hostility.
Following the confrontations in Amsterdam, five individuals required hospitalization due to injuries, while dozens were apprehended by law enforcement as incidents of antisemitic speech, vandalism, and violence have alarmingly spiked across Europe since the onset of the war in Gaza.
Local authorities prohibited pro-Palestinian demonstrators from assembling outside the stadium, yet footage captured a large group of Israeli fans chanting anti-Arab slogans as they made their way to the event. Once the match concluded, groups of youths on scooters and foot sought out Israeli fans, violently attacking them before swiftly retreating to evade police, as described by Amsterdam’s Mayor Femke Halsema.
Despite the protesters’ efforts, Rapaport remains resolute in his decision to proceed with his Chicago show, demonstrating his commitment to freedom of expression.
“I am not accepting, I am not down with, I don’t prohibit, nor will I step backward with regard to me being cancelled for being Jewish or anyone else being cancelled for being Jewish, or any other reason,” Rapaport emphatically affirmed, signaling that he would not be silenced.
**Interview: Michael Rapaport Ahead of His Chicago Show**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Michael. Your upcoming stand-up show at the Vic Theater in Chicago has stirred quite a bit of controversy. Can you tell us about your thoughts on the protests organized by pro-Palestinian activists?
**Michael Rapaport:** Thank you for having me. It’s disheartening to see protests like this, especially because it feels like another form of cancel culture. People are rallying against me based on my pro-Israel stance. This isn’t just about my comedy; it’s about expressing beliefs that are deeply personal to me as a Jewish man.
**Interviewer:** You’ve been outspoken on social media regarding the situation in Israel and Gaza. Can you share what drives your stance?
**Michael Rapaport:** Absolutely. The conflict escalated sharply after the tragic events of October 7, where over 1,200 innocent lives were lost. I believe it’s crucial to support Israel in these perilous times. When people label my views as racist, they fail to see the whole picture of an unprecedented attack and the ongoing threat to civilians.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned feeling silenced by the protests. How do you plan to address this during your show?
**Michael Rapaport:** My comedy has always been about tackling tough issues and speaking the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. I will definitely address the controversy, but I also want to ensure that the audience understands the complexities involved. It’s not just black and white; people’s lives are at stake here.
**Interviewer:** Activists like Hatem Abudayyeh have called you a racist. How do you respond to those accusations?
**Michael Rapaport:** Those kinds of accusations are rooted in misunderstanding. My support for Israel doesn’t equate to a disregard for Palestinian lives. There’s a humanitarian crisis on both sides of this conflict, but minimizing my support for my community and its history is where the line gets crossed.
**Interviewer:** With everything happening globally, how does it feel to be in the spotlight during this challenging time?
**Michael Rapaport:** It’s heavy. I feel a sense of responsibility to use my platform wisely. I want to promote understanding while also standing firm in my beliefs. We need to talk about these issues openly rather than through protests that attempt to silence voices.
**Interviewer:** You also referenced the recent attack on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam. How do such incidents affect your views on safety within the Jewish community?
**Michael Rapaport:** It’s alarming. That attack serves as a stark reminder that antisemitism is still pervasive and dangerous. It emphasizes the importance of unity and standing up against hate, no matter who it’s directed at. We must all strive for understanding, but that doesn’t mean compromising on our values.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, as you prepare for your performance, what would you like your audience to take away from the show?
**Michael Rapaport:** I want them to walk away with a deeper understanding of the issues at hand, alongside a little bit of laughter. Humor can bridge gaps, and I hope to encourage dialogue and awareness while staying true to myself and my experiences.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Michael, for sharing your thoughts with us today. We wish you the best for your show.
**Michael Rapaport:** Thank you for having me. Let’s keep the conversation going.
