May 2nd 2024.
Comedian Dane Baptiste has recently issued an apology for making anti-Semitic statements on his social media account. In his post, he had made a threat towards a Jewish female comic who he believed was stalking him. The 42-year-old stand-up had posted on his Instagram stories, targeting a "Zionist comedian" and received backlash for including a death threat in his post. The matter was brought to the attention of the police, although no official report has been released yet.
After being called out by fellow comedians such as David Baddiel and Ricky Gervais, Baptiste released a statement in response. He explained that he had been receiving threatening and abusive messages from accounts accusing him of anti-Semitism due to his pro-Palestinian views. He also mentioned that his partner had informed him that some of these same people were monitoring her Instagram account, which made him angry at the thought of his family being targeted with the same abuse. In a fit of anger and without thinking about the consequences, he posted a threatening message in an attempt to deter anyone from targeting his family. He clarified that when he used the term "Zionist", he did not mean it in a harmful way towards the Jewish community.
Baptiste acknowledged that his use of the term "Zionist" can be seen as controversial, as it refers to the movement supporting the re-establishment and protection of a Jewish homeland in Israel. He expressed regret for his actions and apologized profusely, stating that he has no ill intentions towards the Jewish community and has always been accepting and supportive. He explained that he reacted impulsively and emotionally without considering the consequences, and he deeply regrets his actions.
The comedian has since deleted his original post and has pinned his apology statement on his social media accounts. He also posted it on his Instagram, where the initial threat was made. In his original post, which he quickly removed, he had warned the female comic to be careful and not be a "dumb woman" for her own safety. This sparked huge backlash from both fellow comedians and fans, who called out his behavior and expressed concern for the safety of the woman in question.
Fellow comedian Josh Howie, who had known and liked Baptiste for a long time, expressed his disappointment and concern for the safety of the woman. David Baddiel, who is also a comedian, shared a screenshot of the original post and wrote "Jews don't count" in response, a phrase commonly used by Jewish people to protest against discrimination. Ricky Gervais also shared a post highlighting Baptiste's threat towards a Jewish woman.
Marcus Brigstocke, another comedian, also spoke out against Baptiste's actions, stating that his threat was targeted and dangerous, driven by both anti-Semitism and misogyny. He refused to stay silent and urged others to speak up against such behavior.
In conclusion, Baptiste has apologized for his actions and expressed regret for his impulsive and emotional response. He clarified that he has no ill intentions towards the Jewish community and has always been accepting and supportive. The matter has brought to light the issue of anti-Semitism in the comedy industry and the need for more awareness and understanding.
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