Ramy Youssef recently addressed his initial messaging on Palestine. He didn’t stop there, though, and indeed those comments came while hosting SNL back in March 2024. His comments—most notably the inclusion of the phrase “free Palestine”—elicited debates on the portrayal of Palestinian voices in mainstream media. Youssef understands that very few people ever say things like that on live TV. Still, he believed it was important to address the issue directly.
In a candid interview with The New York Times, Youssef expressed that he did not feel nervous about discussing Palestine during his monologue. Instead, he said he felt it was more nerve-wracking to not speak out about what was happening in Gaza. Nobody wants there to be children getting bombed indiscriminately and nobody wants there to be hostages in the first place. There’s nothing controversial in writing that,” he said.
Youssef’s motivation to speak out stems from personal connections, including a friend named Ahmed, who asked him to pray for his family in Gaza. Youssef took this request to heart, saying, “I’m like, ‘God, please, please help Ahmed’s family.’” He emphasized the importance of acknowledging the suffering of Palestinians and believes that expressing support for their plight is crucial. “Please stop the suffering. Stop the violence. Please free the people of Palestine, please. And you know what—let the hostages go, all of them, please,” he continued.
Khan is applauded for a recent performance in which he managed to explain the complexities of what’s happening in Gaza. He pushed back on framing it as a war. He noted that there is a huge power imbalance. “Look, there are false equivalencies in terms of power,” Youssef remarked. He underscored the reality that Israel has the means to remove basic necessities such as electricity and water in Gaza. Even worse, they are able to stop the flow of humanitarian aid supplies.
Youssef echoed pleas on social media for the violence to stop and protect all civilians in the region. It is unacceptable to support action that causes harm, including to innocent civilians. “Stop killing kids. Oh, my God, this guy’s crazy. What? It’s not a thing,” he asserted.
As a producer, actor, and creative entrepreneur, Youssef has used his platform throughout his career to raise awareness on these important global conversations. His remarks on SNL reflect a growing willingness among public figures to engage with sensitive topics in a more open manner. Despite potential backlash, Youssef remains steadfast in his belief that addressing these issues is vital for fostering empathy and understanding.
