POLICE are looking into a report of a “hate incident” at a Reginald D Hunter comedy gig, where it is claimed that two Israelis were “heckled” out of his event by the audience.
The US comedian issued a statement on Thursday, saying he regretted an “unfortunate incident” at his Edinburgh Festival Fringe show.
It was reported that two people left the comedian's show following the audience booing them over their objection to Hunter’s joke about Israel.
When asked about his 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 August 11.
“We are reviewing the circumstances.”
Hunter, who regularly tours the UK and has appeared on comedy panel shows including Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, held his Fluffy Fluffy Beavers show on Sunday at the venue Assembly George Square Studios.
The 55-year-old posted a statement on his social media accounts saying: “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.”
Hunter's anti-war comment appears to be a reference to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
New figures from Thursday show the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 40,000 Palestinians since the beginning of Israel’s bombardment of the territory.
More than 85% of the population in Gaza have been displaced from their homes since the war began.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism wrote on X that “comedians are rightly given broad latitude, but they also have a responsibility to their audience”.
The campaign group claimed the two people were Israelis and were “hounded” from the show by the audience after their objection to one of the comedian's jokes.
Hunter and the Edinburgh venue have been contacted for comment.
