NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: John Oliver sparked a wave of admiration among netizens after slamming ‘bloodthirsty’ Israel-Hamas rhetoric at the start of HBO‘s 'Last Week Tonight'.
The 46-year-old comedian usually starts his show with cheerful music but on Sunday’s episode, he appeared on camera before any sort of music, lights, or fanfare and began to deliver his message.
“Without all the music and the lights and — at least theoretically — the laughter, I wanted to briefly talk to you about what has clearly been a terrible week,” he started.
Oliver then stated that the “immense suffering” in Israel and Gaza has been “sickening to watch” and he won’t cover it in the main body of the show for a couple of reasons.
“First: It’s horrific. I don’t really want to tell jokes about carnage right now, and I’m pretty sure you don’t want to hear them,” he stated.
The host continued by explaining that the situation is fast-moving and “a lot could change” between when the episode tapes and when it airs.
What did John Oliver say about the Israel-Hamas war?
During the segment, Oliver offered “a few broad thoughts” that had “to do with sorrow, fear, and anger.”
“Whatever thoughts you have about the history of this region or the current state of affairs—and I’ve shared mine on this show in the past—it should be impossible to see grieving families and not be moved,” he said.
Additionally, he was concerned about the possibility of further war crimes, saying: "I don't know where things stand in Gaza as you watch this right now, but all signs seem to be pointing toward a humanitarian catastrophe."
Speaking of fear, Oliver stated that “the zealots and extremists across the board who’ve consistently thwarted attempts at peace over the years. Israelis and Palestinians have been let down by their leadership repeatedly, and I don’t have much faith in the leaders currently in charge to steer us toward peace.”
“But I do still have some hope. Because the easiest thing in the world, after a week like this, is to engage in bloodthirsty rhetoric. But I will say, I’ve been struck by the many ordinary citizens, Israeli and Palestinian, who’ve called for restraint this week, and not revenge,” the host continued with his voice cracking a little.
He then played footage of Noy Katsman, whose brother was slain by Hamas, telling CNN's Jake Tapper in a live broadcast that they hoped for peace, and urged Israel not to kill innocent civilians.
Oliver agreed with Katzman on the topic of peace and went into further detail about what he believes needs to happen.
“People want and are entitled to peace, and I’m not going to tell either side how to get it — certainly not in this [British] accent, which has frankly done enough damage in that particular region to last a f*****g lifetime,” Oliver said.
Internet praises John Oliver for addressing the Israel-Hamas war
Oliver’s address has garnered immense social media attention, with one person calling it a “bold choice” and another saying that Oliver represented their thoughts.
“John Oliver just gave one of the best editorials I've seen for the events of the last week @LastWeekTonight,” one user tweeted.
“John Oliver put together a good and moving statement on the Isreal-Palestine situation. Glad he mentioned it before the show,” a second user wrote.
“John Oliver did an opening monologue about Palestine/Israel that was so good,” the third user stated while another said “If anyone wants to know my stance on Israel and Palestine after this shitty week, just watch the intro of the most recent Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. He pretty much echoed all my sentiments exactly.”
“Thanks, John Oliver for calling on the Israel-Hamas conflict. I wish more individuals could come out and speak truth to power. What is happening in Palestine and Israel is pathetic. Gaza is in total desolation, even as I called for humanitarian intervention,” another user asserted.
“John Oliver has done good pieces on Israel-Palestine before. And I’m still waiting to see what he does next. But today’s statement to look for shared humanity is all nice and fuzzy if it wasn’t about an ethnic cleansing taking place. at least he acknowledged the war crimes,” one more wrote.
