Jewish comic Eric Andre, antizionist NGO tell IDF don't 'bomb children'

Comedian Eric Andre partnered with IfNotNow to advocate for Gaza, condemning Israeli actions. He urged donations to aid groups and criticized defense contractors.

 Cast member Eric Andre attends a photo call for a special screening of "Trolls Band Together" in Los Angeles, California, US, November 15, 2023 (photo credit: REUTERS/MARIO ANZUONI)
Cast member Eric Andre attends a photo call for a special screening of "Trolls Band Together" in Los Angeles, California, US, November 15, 2023
(photo credit: REUTERS/MARIO ANZUONI)

Jewish comedian Eric Andre collaborated with the anti-Zionist Jewish organization If Not Now to call for donations to Gaza and criticize Israeli operations against Hamas on Thursday.

Andre, speaking to the backdrop of pro-Palestinian murals in Dublin, said that he was “setting the record straight; no one’s talking for me.”

“Stop weaponizing antisemitism. As a self-loving Jew, let me just say permanent ceasefire,” Andre said, listing pro-Palestinian slogans in a series of cuts. “End the siege on Gaza, let Gaza live, impeach [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu.”

Andre cursed American defense contractors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, from whom Israel has purchased Iron Dome’s Tamir interceptors and F-35 warplanes, respectively.

People organized by IfNotNow protest outside of Trump International Hotel against the new U.S. Embassy opening in Jerusalem in Washington, US, May 14, 2018 (credit: REUTERS/LEAH MILLIS)
People organized by IfNotNow protest outside of Trump International Hotel against the new U.S. Embassy opening in Jerusalem in Washington, US, May 14, 2018 (credit: REUTERS/LEAH MILLIS)

Rejecting violence in our name

“Jewish and Palestinian safety is intertwined, not in my f**king name,” said Andre. “You do not need to cut off people’s water supplies in the name of Jewish safety. You do not need to bomb universities, bomb hospitals, bomb ambulances in the name of Jewish safety, and you do not need to bomb children in the name of Jewish safety.”

Andre did not explicitly refer to the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza since the October 7 massacre, but he included the phrase “send them home,” which may have been a call for their release. If Not Now included the hashtag “Send the hostages home,” which appears to have mainly been used in connection with Andre’s video.

If Not Now and Andre encouraged viewers to donate to the Gaza Mutual Aid Collective, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and “campus bail funds” for activists arrested during the university and college encampment protests.

“Free Gaza,” stated Andre.