In ‘SNL’ monologue, comedian Ramy Youssef calls for ‘free Palestine’

In his monologue on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, guest host American-Egyptian comedian Ramy Youssef said he is praying to “free the people of Palestine” and “free the hostages,” which both garnered applause from the audience.

Youssef began his opening monologue by joking, “This is an incredibly spiritual weekend. We’re in the holy month of Ramadan, tomorrow is Easter, and yesterday, Beyoncé released a new album.”

“There’s just so many religions celebrating all at once. I’m doing the Ramadan one,” he continued.

After touching upon the upcoming U.S. presidential election, Youssef discussed the suffering of Palestinian civilians in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, based on a call from a friend with family there.

“He goes, ‘Ramy. They’re suffering. I don’t know where half of them are. I don’t know what to do. Please pray for them. It’s the only thing we can do,’” Youssef quotes the friend Ahmed as saying.

“So that night, I go to pray, and my prayers are complicated. I’ve got a lot to fit in. My God, please, please help Ahmed’s family. Please stop the suffering. Stop the violence. Please free the people of Palestine,” he said.

He then called for the freedom of “all the hostages,” right before making a joke about a friend who has been fighting in court with his ex-girlfriend for custody of a dog.

“And while you’re at it, I mean, you know, free Mr. Bojangles. I mean he is, he’s a beautiful dog. I’m praying for that dog,” concluded Youssef.

Youssef, who created and starred in the hit show “Ramy” (2019–2022), was asked to host the weekly comedy show shortly after attending the Oscars wearing a pro-Palestinian pin that many say expresses support for terrorism against Israelis.

The New York-born Muslim comedian also performed at an event last year that benefited American Near East Refugee Aid, an anti-Israel nonprofit.