Police in Edinburgh are currently investigating a reported “hate incident” after two Israeli audience members were allegedly heckled and forced to leave Reginald D Hunter’s performance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The incident reportedly occurred during Hunter’s show, “Fluffy Fluffy Beaver,” at Assembly George Square Studios. According to reports, the disruption began when the two audience members objected to a joke Hunter made about Israel, which they found offensive.
Hunter, known for his boundary-pushing humor and regular appearances on UK television shows like “Never Mind The Buzzcocks” and “Have I Got News For You,” later described the situation as an “unfortunate incident.”
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A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed that they are aware of a hate incident reported to have taken place during the event on Sunday, August 11th, and that they are currently reviewing the circumstances.
The specific joke that triggered the audience members’ reaction allegedly involved a comparison of Israel to an abusive partner. When the two individuals voiced their displeasure, Hunter reportedly asked them to leave, according to The Telegraph.
In a statement shared on social media, Hunter expressed regret over the incident, stating that while he aims to push boundaries in his comedy, he is firmly against war and bullying. He also acknowledged that his material can provoke divided opinions but emphasized that he never intends to cause undue stress to his audience or the staff at his performances.
Hunter’s mention of being “anti-war” is widely interpreted as a reference to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism, a charity organization, has expressed concern over the incident. They highlighted that while comedians are typically granted considerable freedom in their performances, they also bear a responsibility to their audience. The organization alleged that the two individuals, identified as Jewish Israelis, were “hounded” out of the venue by the audience. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, they called for venues to take a firm stance against such behavior, noting that similar incidents have occurred in recent months.
Both Hunter and the Edinburgh venue have been approached for further comments regarding the situation.
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