Police are investigating a report of a “hate incident” after two Israeli audience members were reportedly heckled out of Reginald D Hunter’s Edinburgh Fringe show.
The US stand-up comedian issued a statement on Thursday following reports two people were booed out of his Fluffy Fluffy Beaver show at Assembly George Square Studios over their objection to a joke about Israel.
Hunter, who regularly tours the UK and has appeared on comedy panel shows Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, described it as an “unfortunate incident”.
When asked about the gig, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have been made aware of a hate incident, which reportedly took place at an event in Edinburgh on Sunday 11 August.
“We are reviewing the circumstances.”
Hunter, 55, was said to have made a joke comparing Israel to an abusive partner.
He was then heard telling the two Israelis to leave after they heckled him saying it was “not funny”, The Telegraph reported.
In his statement posted to social media, Hunter said: “There was an unfortunate incident in my new show Fluffy Fluffy Beaver.
“As a comedian, I do push boundaries in creating humour, it’s part of my job.
“This inevitably created divided opinions but I am staunchly anti-war and anti-bully.
“I regret any stress caused to the audience and venue staff members.”
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The Georgia-born comic’s “anti-war” reference appears to be a reference to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism charity said the “events described at the Edinburgh Fringe are extremely concerning”.
Posting on X, a spokesperson for the organisation said: “Comedians are rightly given broad latitude, but they also have a responsibility to their audience.
The campaign group claimed the two people were Jewish Israelis and were “hounded” from the show by the audience.
“We have seen this before in recent months, and venues must stand extremely firm against this kind of behaviour,” the post added.
Hunter and the Edinburgh venue have been contacted for additional comment.