After antisemitic heckling, comedian says fellow Jews sent death threats and abuse

Jewish comedian Lucas Zelnick said he received death threats and abuse after posting footage of an antisemitic heckler at a San Francisco show, including attacks from fellow Jews angered by his criticism of Israel. He described feeling alienated from a Jewish identity he associated with debate and compassion.

Jewish comedian Lucas Zelnick said on Friday that he received death threats and a torrent of abuse after posting footage of an antisemitic heckler at a San Francisco show. Speaking on his podcast, Zelnick said the backlash came from two groups: 'a lot of Nazis' and Jewish critics angered by his views on Israel. Some Jewish critics accused him of being a 'self-loathing Jew' or a 'kapo.' Zelnick read aloud emails attacking his comedy career and accusing him of falsely charging Israel with genocide in Gaza, a claim he noted he had not made in the clip. He said the response left him feeling alienated from a Jewish identity he associated with education, debate, compassion and liberal thinking. 'The fact that I'm getting the exact same reaction to this video from Jews and Nazis is like terrifying,' he said. The article also notes other recent antisemitic heckling incidents involving comedians Mike Glazer, Judy Gold and Jerry Seinfeld.