Analysis: The Impact of Two Simple Words in Ramy Youssef's 'SNL' Monologue

In a promo that aired in the days before he hosted “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, actor Ramy Youssef joked about making history as the first Arab, first Ramy, and first Egyptian to ever host the comedy show.

Editor’s Note: Dean Obeidallah, a former attorney, is the host of SiriusXM radio’s daily program “The Dean Obeidallah Show.” Follow him on Threads. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN.

Dean Obeidallah

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During the taping of the commercial, "SNL" cast member Kenan Thompson interrupted to mention that the show had been hosted before by an Arab American of Egyptian heritage. This host, with a similar name (although spelled differently), was the Oscar-winning actor Rami Malik.

Youssef unexpectedly made history on "SNL" this weekend, in a way that surprised me. I've known Youssef for years, and he comically revised his biography to claim he was the "first-ever Egyptian named Ramy from New Jersey" to host the show.

This image is a screenshot from NBC's "Saturday Night Live," featuring Michael Longfellow as California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mikey Day as President Joe Biden. They were part of the “Inside Politics" Cold Open on March 2.

This screen grab from NBC's "Saturday Night Live" shows Michael Longfellow as California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mikey Day as President Joe Biden during the “Inside Politics" Cold Open on March 2.

From Saturday Night Live/NBC

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During the last minute of his monologue, the actor who won a Golden Globe mentioned, "Please free the people of Palestine, please." This comment received a lot of applause, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter. Following this, he also appealed for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Youssef shared a funny story with the audience, mentioning that he is the only one in his group of friends who prays. Despite this, his friends sometimes ask him to pray on their behalf. One friend, Brian, going through a messy divorce, requested Youssef to pray for him to get custody of his beloved dog.

He then talked about another friend, Ahmed, who asked him to pray for his family in Gaza. Ahmed expressed his concern, saying, "They're suffering. I don't know where half of them are. I don't know what to do. Please pray for them."

The comedian continued with his joke, talking about his prayers that night. He mentioned how complicated they were because he had a lot to fit in. He prayed for Ahmed's family, to stop the suffering and violence. The line that got a big applause was when he asked for the freedom of the people of Palestine. He also prayed for all the hostages to be freed, which also received applause.

Wrapping up the joke, he delivered the punchline, asking for Mr. Bojangles, a beautiful dog, to be set free. He humorously mentioned that he was even praying for the dog.

NBC

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Seeing someone on national television boldly declare "Free Palestine" and witnessing the audience erupt in applause was a moment I had never experienced before. It's something I dearly wish my late father, a Palestinian immigrant to the US, could have witnessed.

Even though Youssef was simply telling a joke and not delivering a formal speech, comedians like Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, and Jon Stewart have used humor as a powerful tool to bring attention to challenging political, racial, and societal issues. Despite this, speaking out in support of Palestinians has always been met with consequences, especially during times like the current conflict in Gaza. Hollywood actress Melissa Barrera, for instance, was fired from the film "Scream VII" for expressing her views on social media, referring to Israel's actions in Gaza as a "genocide."

Jonathan Glazer, the director of “The Zone of Interest,” faced criticism for comments he made at the Oscars when accepting the Best International Feature Film award. He spoke out against an occupation that has caused conflict for many innocent people.

Actress Susan Sarandon was let go by her agency after expressing pro-Palestinian views at a rally in November.

SNL Trump Senators Orig_00000000.png

SNL Trump Senators Orig_00000000.png

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Youssef, on the other hand, continues to use his comedy platform to shed light on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He recently announced that the proceeds from his comedy tour will go towards supporting ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid), a charity that offers humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Even after Taylor Swift attended one of Youssef's comedy shows in Brooklyn, conservative talk show host Megyn Kelly called for a boycott of anything related to the pop superstar. (I can almost picture Swift responding with a puzzled look, asking, "Who is Megyn Kelly again?")

At this year's Academy Awards ceremony, Youssef, known for his role in the Oscar-winning film "Poor Things," was seen wearing a pin advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza. In an interview with Variety, he expressed a universal message of ending violence against children and avoiding further conflicts. He emphasized the importance of an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, calling for peace and lasting justice for the people of Palestine.

A recent Gallup poll revealed a decline in approval of Israel's military actions among Americans, with only 36% supporting it compared to 50% in November. Surprisingly, even among Republicans, there was a decrease in support for Israel's military response.

Perhaps it's not a shock that support for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been decreasing. His military actions have resulted in the deaths of around 32,700 Palestinians, with 70 percent being women and children according to UN data. The applause for Youssef could be seen as a public disapproval of Netanyahu's continuous military retaliation to the Hamas attack in October.

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President Joe Biden, known for his unwavering support of Israel, acknowledged in his recent State of the Union address that many innocent women and children were among the Palestinians killed in Gaza.

During his speech, President Biden highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict, mentioning the nearly two million Palestinians facing bombardment or displacement, homes destroyed, neighborhoods in rubble, cities in ruins, and families lacking basic necessities like food, water, and medicine. He expressed his heartbreak over the situation.

While recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas, President Biden emphasized that Israel also has a fundamental responsibility to protect innocent civilians in Gaza.

When the Gaza war comes to an end and the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas are set free, the next concern will be about the future of the Palestinian people. I share the same hope as Youssef, who mentioned what he is praying for.

Editor's P/S:

Ramy Youssef's bold plea for "Free Palestine" on "Saturday Night Live" was a watershed moment in American television. It marked a departure from the traditional reticence on the topic, as comedians have historically faced consequences for speaking out in support of Palestinians. Youssef's use of humor to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was both poignant and effective, eliciting applause from the audience and sparking a wider conversation about the conflict.

The declining approval of Israel's military actions among Americans, as evidenced by recent polls, suggests a growing public disapproval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies. President Biden's acknowledgment of the suffering inflicted on Palestinian civilians in his State of the Union address further underscores the need for a reassessment of the approach to the conflict. Youssef's courageous statement has helped to amplify the voices of those calling for peace and justice for the Palestinian people.