Full Breakdown
Tribeca Condemns Red-Carpet Joke About Palestinian Abuse
6/8/2026, 4:18:35 AM
Red-Carpet Incident
During the Thursday premiere of *The Wedding Entertainer (The Tale of Moishe Badhan)*, comedian Elon Gold joked, “I was only raped by two Israeli dogs,” to which influencer Lizzy Savetsky replied, “I thought they only raped Palestinians.” The clip quickly circulated on social media, sparking outrage.
Background & Context
*The Wedding Entertainer* follows a down-on-his-luck Hasidic comedian who must raise $20,000 to marry off his daughter. Directed and co-written by Gidi Dar, the film was shot in Israel. The Tribeca Film Festival, celebrating its 25th anniversary, was created after the September 11 attacks and now operates city-wide. The joke referenced alleged sexual violence in Israeli prisons, an issue that has re-emerged following the October 7 Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 people, took over 250 hostages, and preceded a Gaza death toll surpassing 75,000.
Key Figures
- Elon Gold – Comedian, star and executive producer of the film.
- Lizzy Savetsky – Pro-Israel influencer invited by the film team; not credentialed by Tribeca.
- Gidi Dar – Director and co-writer.
- Tribeca Film Festival – Organizer and issuer of the condemnation.
Official Statements & Responses
The festival posted a social-media statement condemning the remarks as offensive and unacceptable, emphasizing that sexual violence and human suffering must not be mocked or minimized. It said the comments do not reflect its values and expressed regret for the hurt caused, noting it could not reach the filmmakers. Savetsky later posted a video defending the exchange, calling the New York Times claim “ridiculous” and describing the festival as “a forum that is meant to spark dialogue.”
Criticism & Opposition
Public reaction focused on the perceived trivialization of alleged systemic torture and rape of Palestinians in Israeli detention facilities. Critics argued that the joke undermined the seriousness of documented human-rights concerns and risked normalizing violence against a vulnerable population.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Savetsky called the New York Times allegation unsubstantiated, whereas other sources cite investigators and human-rights groups reporting systemic torture and alleged bestiality in Israeli prisons. No definitive verification of the “Israeli dogs” claim was provided, leaving a factual gap.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s a really big deal, and for a film made in Israel, that’s pretty damn cool. I was only raped by two Israeli dogs.” — Elon Gold, comedian
- “I thought they only raped Palestinians.” — Lizzy Savetsky, influencer
- “Sexual violence and human suffering should never be mocked or minimized.” — Tribeca spokesperson
- “published this piece with zero evidence. And we’re all just supposed to sit here with a straight face and take it like it is some sort of truth.” — Lizzy Savetsky, influencer
- “offensive and unacceptable.” — Tribeca spokesperson
Why It Matters
The incident highlights the tension between artistic expression and sensitivity to ongoing conflicts. It raises questions about red-carpet oversight, the responsibilities of festivals to address controversial content, and the broader impact of humor on public discourse surrounding human-rights abuses.
