{"id":36234,"date":"2024-05-30T10:44:59","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T14:44:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/?p=36234"},"modified":"2024-05-30T10:44:59","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T14:44:59","slug":"bill-maher-draws-applause-after-argument-with-the-view-host-over-gaza-hamas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2024\/05\/bill-maher-draws-applause-after-argument-with-the-view-host-over-gaza-hamas.html","title":{"rendered":"Bill Maher Draws Applause After Argument with ‘The View’ Host Over Gaza, Hamas"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The View\/YouTube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Comedian Bill Maher drew applause from \u201cThe View\u201d audience after a tiff with co-host Sunny Hostin over Israel, Hamas, and the ongoing war in the Middle East. After a debate over the term \u201cwoke\u201d and the negative changes Maher thinks have unfolded on the American left, the conversation turned to Israel and Hamas. He said, \u201cIf I had any doubt that I was right about the change that\u2019s happened in the left, watching people protest for a terrorist organization like Hamas \u2013 that straightened me out pretty quick.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s when \u201cThe View\u201d co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin chimed in to ask what Maher makes of some Americans seemingly taking the side of a terrorist group over Israel. He responded that he was dumbfounded over the inability of some to discern true evil. He said, \u201cIt\u2019s astounding to me that they can\u2019t tell the good guys from the bad guys, just morally. If you\u2019re for Hamas, just live in Gaza for a day \u00a0[even] before the war.\u201d Maher added, \u201cTrust me, you would go running, and screaming, and begging to live in Tel Aviv, a place that has your values.\u201d<\/p>\n

He went on to note women\u2019s rights, in particular, are practically nonexistent in Gaza and many other nations. That\u2019s when Hostin questioned whether Maher also has concern for innocents in Gaza who have died or sustained injuries as Israel fights back. Hostin asked, \u201cAre you at all concerned about the innocent civilians that have been collectively punished and murdered, largely children and women? Are you at all concerned about the fact that the International Criminal Court just today issued a subpoena for Bibi Netanyahu?\u201d<\/p>\n