Pete Davidson Discusses Israel-Hamas War As Host Of ‘Saturday Night Live’

Pete Davidson delivered a somber opening address to kick off the 49th season of Saturday Night Live, in which he discussed the Israel-Hamas war.

“This week we saw the horrible images and stories from Israel and Gaza,” the comedian said. “And I know what you’re thinking, who better to comment on it than Pete Davidson? Well, in a lot of ways I am a good person to talk about it because when I was seven years old, my dad was killed in a terrorist attack. So I know something about what that’s like.”

Davidson’s father, Scott Davidson, was a firefighter who died in New York City on September 11, 2001.

“I saw so many terrible pictures this week of children suffering, Israeli children and Palestinian children,” he continued. “It took me back to a really horrible, horrible place. No one in this world deserves to suffer like that, especially not kids.”

Davidson went on to share about his journey to become a comedian.

“After my dad died, my mom tried pretty much everything she could do to cheer me up,” he explained. “I remember one day when I was eight, she got me what she thought was a Disney movie, but it was actually the Eddie Murphy stand-up special, Delirious.”

“We played it in the car on the way home but when she heard the things Eddie Murphy was saying, she tried to take it away. But then she noticed something. For the first time, in a long time, I was laughing again.”

Davidson then circled back to the conflict in the Middle East.

“I don’t understand, I really don’t, I never will, but sometimes comedy is really the only way forward through tragedy,” he said. “My heart is with everyone whose lives have been destroyed this week. But tonight, I’m going to do what I have always done in the face of tragedy: and that’s try to be funny.”

He concluded with a punchline, saying, “Remember, I said I try.”

As the audience applauded Davidson’s remarks, he kicked off his debut as host: “And live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”