Controversy Over SNL’s Michael Che Joke About Israeli Elections

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On NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” “Weekend Update” co-host Michael Che made a controversial joke involving genocide while discussing voter turnout in Israel’s elections. Che referred to the large turnout with a punchline that mentioned the political spectrum in Israel, including “the right side, the left side, or the genocide,” causing controversy.

A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism acknowledged the joke as humorous but questioned its foundation. They emphasized that it plays into a widespread but unfounded belief that Israel committed genocide in Gaza.

According to the organization, accusations of genocide against Israel wrongly portray Jews as the perpetrators of a crime committed against them during the Holocaust. The spokesperson mentioned that such allegations have increased abuse and violence against Jews globally, leading to terrorism and murder.

NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck criticized the joke’s use of the term “genocide,” suggesting that many viewers might not understand its meaning. Houck proposed that the segment could have focused on the participation of Arab voters in Israel’s election as a counterargument to genocide claims.

In the recent Israeli election, Arab-led parties were projected to secure 19 seats, based on early results. Che’s comment came during a segment with co-host Colin Jost, where other political figures like President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were also discussed.

Che had previously attracted criticism in February 2021 for implying that Israel’s COVID-19 vaccination drive favored Jewish citizens. The Anti-Defamation League condemned the joke, stating it overstepped boundaries.

The American Jewish Committee asked for an apology from NBC, clarifying that vaccines in Israel were available to citizens without regard to religion or ethnicity.

CJ Womack, an associate editor at Fox News, played a role in reporting the controversy. Womack, with a background in political science and journalism, joined Fox News Digital in 2026.