Shannon Thaler
Comedian Sarah Silverman claimed she made a “mistake” while “stoned” after she shared a post that defended Israel’s move to pressure Hamas for the release of hostages by cutting off water and electricity from Gaza.
Silverman faced blowback after she shared a post by user @elianaeatz to her Instagram story that read: “Many are saying that it’s inhumane that Israel is cutting off water/electricity to Gaza. Israel made it pretty simple — ‘release the hostages and we will turn it back on.’”
“Instead of pleading with Hamas to release CIVILIAN hostages which include BABIES and TODDLERS there are politicians (cough cough AOC) calling Israel inhumane. If that isn’t enough for you: ISRAEL DOES NOT NEED TO SUPPLY GAZA WITH THESE RESOURCES (which they do, for FREE),” the post continued.
“If Hamas didn’t spend billions of dollars on terrorism they would be able to build the infrastructure to support themselves.”
While Silverman seemed to initially support Israel’s tactics to bring Israeli hostages home, many others have argued that cutting off innocent civilians’ access to water and electricity is a human rights violation.
Silverman quickly yanked the post from her social media on Wednesday, though screenshots of it were already circulating on X, formerly Twitter, where the 52-year-old comedian blamed her decision to repost the PSA on her intoxicated state at the time she shared it.
“Oh f–k yeah I took that down I put it in stories from someone, realized it was a mistake to post in the stoned fury of wondering where the hostages are in all this madness. NASA gave Sally Ride 100 tampons,” Silverman responded to a screenshot of her since-deleted Instagram story on Thursday.
As the war entered its second week, battered Israel cut off the flow of food, medicine, water and electricity to Gaza, leaving more than 2 million people in the Gaza Strip without power and putting hospitals at the mercy of fuel-powered generators.
Israel’s controversial move was made in response to Hamas’ capture of about 200 hostages, including females that were seen being paraded down the street in horrifying videos.
Silverman quickly caved to pressure from pro-Palestinian users on Instagram.
“I get high damn near everyday and find a way to go out and help ppl. Never has it crossed my mind I should support war crimes or want children to die because of it. You’re a sick human and I’m glad you’re being called out,” one furious user responded.
“We’ve officially reached the ‘they actually don’t deserve water and electricity’ moment in mainstream discourse,” another shared.
Another asked Silverman if she’s “having a bit of a meltdown,” while yet another said: “Imagine getting high and then suddenly supporting apartheid and genocide? We use to smoke weed and be in favor of love and peace… How crazy.”
“Piece of sh-t announcement,” yet another user said.
Jennifer Jajeh — a Palestinian actress who has voiced anti-Israel views and created and stars in a one-woman show titled “I Heart Hamas” — chimed in with commentary on Silverman’s post.
“Can’t believe I spent so much precious time trying to educate Sarah Silverman about Palestine only to find out she’s defending genocide against Palestinians!? Seriously reprehensible,” Jajeh shared to X.
Silverman replied to Jajeh, “Jen I took that shit down almost immediately! – it just lives on here from people spreading it.”
Representatives for Silverman at United Talent Agency did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
This post was originally posted by New York Post
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