Comedian Bill Maher used the opening night of Rosh Hashanah to sharply criticize rapper Macklemore and other celebrities who have labeled the war in Gaza a genocide, arguing that such claims are fueling a global surge in antisemitism. Speaking during the «New Rule» segment of HBO's «Real Time» on Friday, Maher said the accusation is not only false but dangerous, and he singled out the music star for what he described as moral confusion among public figures.
Maher began by taking aim at members of the Democratic Party who have spoken out against Israel during the Israel-Hamas war, saying the conflict has exposed a deeper problem. «Because nowhere has this moral confusion become more obvious than in a place called Gaza,» Maher said, describing the territory as «a little strip of land that was not part of the original Israel, but they won in a war launched against them, but then gave back, gave back as a peace gesture.» He then turned directly to Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, after the musician repeatedly called for a «Free Palestine» while performing his anti-Israel song «Hind's Hall» as an opening act for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, earlier this month.
«I think Macklemore spoke for all clueless celebrities when he said, ‘I know enough to know this is a genocide,’» Maher continued. «Actually, you don't know s---. It's not. It's not a genocide. It's a counterattack in a war.» The «Thrift Shop» rapper made headlines in early September for his on-stage comments, where he wore a keffiyeh and told the crowd that a major reason he wanted to tour was to stand in stadiums and say «Free Palestine.» He added that he wanted those words to be loud and clear so that people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank know «we have not forgotten about them.»
Maher disputed the genocide assertion directly, calling it «a lie, an easily provable lie.» He argued that the Democratic Party's willingness to go along with the claim represents its worst moment since Reconstruction, and he accused Democrats of aggressively policing their candidates on the issue. «Say it — say it's a genocide. Say it,» he said, mimicking what he described as pressure within the party. The host concluded his segment by drawing a direct line between the rhetoric and the rise of antisemitic incidents worldwide. «If you're one of the many people these days asking, ‘This explosion of antisemitism around the world that we see, where is it coming from?’» Maher said. «This. This is where it's coming from. Because if you really think someone is committing genocide, of course you have full permission to hate them. And history shows, for whatever reason, when it comes to hating the Jews, people don't need a lot of permission.»
The rapper's public stance also drew criticism from Jason Mudd, CEO of Axia Public Relations, who told Fox News Digital that Macklemore's position represents a «calculated risk.» Mudd noted that taking a political stance often alienates a portion of an audience, but the harder split is among those who remain: about a third believe entertainers should stay in their lane, while only a third are glad the platform is used for political expression. «Using your platform to influence politics is a decision that can affect your fans' support, your reputation, your career, and your future earnings, so know the risk before you make it,» Mudd said. He added that if Macklemore were his client, he would advise him that calling a war a genocide invites the kind of public shredding Maher just delivered, and that while there is no rule against entertainers taking a stance, they must understand the career and reputational risks.
Maher's remarks come amid a broader national debate over celebrity activism and the language used to describe the Israel-Hamas conflict, a debate that has intensified since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. The host's criticism of his own party and of prominent entertainers reflects a growing divide over how public figures address the war and its consequences.