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Haifa, Israel – Israeli police arrested comedian Nidal Badarny on Monday night on charges of “disturbing public order” after he made controversial jokes about the October 7 Hamas-led attack and the hostages held in Gaza.
His detention, which lasted five hours before his release, has sparked a fierce debate over free speech and the Israeli police’s handling of political expression.
Badarny, an Arab Israeli citizen known for his satirical humor, was taken into custody at his home in Haifa at approximately 8 p.m.
His arrest followed weeks of police actions aimed at preventing his performances, including pressuring theaters to cancel his scheduled shows and directly instructing him not to perform.
The legal advocacy organization Adalah, which defends Arab citizens’ rights in Israel, has condemned the police’s actions as an attempt to silence political speech.
A Pattern of Crackdown on Free Expression?
The arrest of Badarny comes amid broader concerns about restrictions on speech following the October 7 attack, in which Hamas militants launched an assault on Israeli communities near Gaza, resulting in mass casualties and the abduction of hostages.
The Israeli police have increased crackdowns on speech deemed supportive of Hamas or offensive to victims, leading to dozens of arrests of Arab citizens for public statements and social media posts.
According to Adalah Attorney Hadeel Abu Salih, the police’s actions against Badarny and others represent a systematic effort to stifle dissent.
“The police are using arrests as a tool to frighten people and stop them from expressing their opinions freely,” Abu Salih said, adding that she has handled 60 cases of individuals investigated for “disturbing the public order” due to their speech—none of which have resulted in indictments.
Controversial Jokes and Police Intervention
Badarny’s comedy has come under scrutiny following his recent jokes about the October 7 attacks and the hostages held by Hamas.
In one instance, he quipped that Hamas’s use of Toyota pickup trucks during their attack proved that “Toyotas don’t break down.” The vehicles were used by militants to breach Israel’s border and were later seen in hostage release videos.
In another controversial bit, he joked that female Israeli soldiers released by Hamas had received certificates for “completing a Pilates course,” referencing the casual athletic wear they were seen wearing upon their release.
He also made a remark suggesting that Thai workers abducted by Hamas had mistaken the pickup trucks for transportation to a worksite.
Such jokes led right-wing advocacy groups, including Betzalmo, to file police complaints, accusing Badarny of inciting hatred and mocking victims. Israeli news channel Hazinor further amplified the controversy, leading to heightened police attention.
Police Actions and Allegations of Intimidation
Adalah has accused the police of illegal interference in Badarny’s career, citing multiple instances where officers pressured venue owners into canceling his shows.
A Haifa venue scrapped his mid-January performance after authorities warned it contained “support for the October 7 massacre.” Police also called two theaters in Nazareth, warning them that allowing Badarny to perform could impact their business licenses.
When one venue resisted police pressure, officers allegedly contacted Badarny directly, telling him via phone and text message that he was “not permitted” to perform.
According to Abu Salih, this constitutes an abuse of power: “The police’s conduct amounts to political persecution. This is illegal, violates fundamental rights, and seeks to censor artistic expression based on political pressure.”
Government and Political Reactions
Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar of the Likud party expressed support for the arrest, stating, “Anyone who jokes about the hostages, expresses support for Hamas and the awful massacre of October 7—their place is in jail or Gaza, not on stage.” He praised the police for taking action against what he called “incitement.”
However, others see a clear double standard. Arab Israeli lawmaker Ahmad Tibi contrasted Badarny’s treatment with that of Jewish artists who have made inflammatory remarks about Palestinians without facing consequences.
Singer Ofer Levi recently stated that if he were a soldier, there “wouldn’t be hostages” because he would “kill everyone and burn too.” Pop star Eyal Golan called for Gaza to be “erased,” while other Israeli musicians have made similar calls for violence. None have been arrested or investigated.
“[Badarny] did not call to burn Palestinians with gasoline like Ofer Levi, and didn’t make calls for murder as Israeli artists have done recently,” said Tibi.
He also pointed out that far-right Israeli activists have verbally attacked hostage families who advocate for a ceasefire deal to secure their loved ones’ release, without facing legal consequences.
“Black humor can be witty or outrageous—that’s how it is with comedians,” Tibi said. “But when it comes to Arabs, it turns out that the joke ends very quickly. Jewish singers can call for the burning of Palestinians, but an Arab comedian with black humor? He gets arrested.”
Legal Battle and Next Steps
Adalah has formally complained to the Attorney General’s Office about the police’s conduct and threatened to petition the High Court of Justice if authorities continue efforts to prevent Badarny from performing.
Meanwhile, State Attorney Amit Aisman has previously warned against the police’s use of “disturbing public order” charges as a workaround to avoid seeking legal authorization for incitement cases.
While Badarny is now free, his future performances remain uncertain. The comedian has yet to comment publicly on his arrest, but legal experts and activists say his case exemplifies the growing tension in Israel over free speech, political expression, and the boundaries of satire in times of national trauma.
As debates continue over whether Badarny’s jokes crossed the line or whether his arrest was a form of state censorship, one thing is clear: the intersection of comedy and politics in Israel remains a volatile battleground.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members