Comedian Chelsea Handler denies allegations that she removed a tour opener because of the opener’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war. Salma Hindy, who previously opened for Handler, says she lost work after raising concerns about comments she linked to people associated with Handler, and she has claimed Handler tried to get rid of her after she spoke out.
Both outlets connect the dispute to broader controversy around pro-Palestinian statements by other performers. They cite the earlier decision by Ed Sheeran to drop rapper Macklemore from his tour after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks onstage. In the coverage, Hindy says her decision to come forward is influenced by that precedent, while Handler responds directly by denying any wrongdoing, including posting that she “would never” fire someone for supporting “Free Palestine.”
