Conservative Comedian Jon Lovitz Says He Doesn’t Understand Hollywood’s Silence Amid Pro-Palestinian College Protests

Comedian Jon Lovitz raised questions about the lack of outrage from Hollywood actors over the pro-Palestinian protests taking place at college campuses across the United States.

In an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters on Jesse Waters Primetime, Lovitz, who is Jewish and outspoken about his conservative beliefs, expressed surprise that other actors weren’t being more vocal.

“People say, ‘Why are you speaking up? Why aren’t other people in Hollywood, who are way bigger names than me, not saying anything?'” Lovitz said. “And my answer is, I don’t know. I think either they’re afraid, or they’re afraid they’re going to lose… that it’ll hurt their business.”

Protests that demand a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict have erupted on multiple college campuses in recent days and resulted in arrests, student suspensions and heightened police presence.

Columbia University gained national attention last week when hundreds of students staged an occupation at the heart of the campus and called for a cease-fire and an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. The university officials called in New York police officers, which resulted in the arrest of over 100 student demonstrators.

While concerns have been raised about the spread of anti-Semitic rhetoric, protest groups have emphasized that their demonstrations are not anti-Semitic, and the actions of a few individuals should not overshadow the majority’s peaceful intentions.

On Oct. 7, Palestinians from Gaza carried out attacks in Israel that killed at least 1,200 Israelis, injured thousands more, and took an estimated 240 hostages. Israel immediately launched attacks on Gaza. Since then, at least 34,305 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, 70% of them women and children.

Israel has enforced a complete lockdown in Gaza and has prevented the entry of necessities such as food, water, fuel, electricity, medical supplies and various goods. The population is experiencing severe consequences, including starvation and the spread of diseases. Gaza is currently grappling with an unparalleled humanitarian emergency that continues to deteriorate with each passing day.

Last November, Lovitz was in the news for attacking late-night talk show hosts for their left-wing politics.