Mamdani 2026
NYPD Shuts Down Guy Hochman’s Show as Protesters Mob Venue | WATCH
Israeli comedian Guy Hochman silenced by vile pro-Palestinian mob in NYC, thugs block club, deface posters, scream "war criminal". NYPD caves, cancels show.
Israeli stand-up comedian Guy Hochman's performance at the Broadway Comedy Club was abruptly canceled yesterday, following a blockade by pro-Palestinian protesters who accused him of promoting war crimes.
The incident, part of Guy Hochman's North American tour, highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Israeli artists amid the Israel-Hamas war.
Protesters, organized by groups including the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) and mobilized through social media, gathered outside the venue at 318 W 53rd St. in Manhattan. Demonstrators blocked the entrance, displayed signs branding Hochman a "war criminal" and "genocidaire," and chanted slogans calling for a boycott. Online campaigns urged supporters to "blow up" the show, interpreted as a call to disrupt it, while promotional posters were defaced with red paint and messages like "I am coming to conquer Gaza."
New York Police Department (NYPD) officers on the scene evaluated the situation and determined there was a significant risk to public safety due to the blockade and potential for unrest. As a result, the event was immediately canceled, and ticket holders received refunds. No arrests were made during the protest.
Hochman, who tried to proceed with the show, expressed his frustration on Instagram: "Sons of ******* are blocking the entrance to the club, and the police decided not to approve the show."
A popular comedian in Israel and a former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier, Hochman has drawn controversy for videos he filmed while serving in the IDF's broadcast unit in Gaza. These clips include satirical or provocative remarks about "conquering" the region and uplifting troop morale.
Advocacy groups such as the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) and PYM have accused him of inciting genocide and war crimes, using the content as grounds for protests and legal complaints.
The New York cancellation follows a similar disruption in Toronto on January 19, where Hochman was detained at the airport for six hours based on an HRF complaint. He ultimately performed despite protests that escalated into physical altercations, including an assault on his manager and one arrest. Hochman later described the Toronto event as a "victory" on social media.