We’re Not Kidding with Mehdi & Friends ‘They Make Genocide Jokes’ - Israeli Comedian Noam Shuster-Eliassi on Racism, Zionism, and Palestinian Liberation
Dec 9, 2025
Noam Shuster-Eliassi, a Jewish-Iranian Israeli comedian and filmmaker, shares her unique perspective on coexistence from her upbringing in Neve Shalom. She critiques the failures of the Israeli peace industry, explaining why she turned to comedy as a powerful tool for political action. Noam discusses the responsibility of comedians in shaping narratives and her experiences performing for Palestinian audiences. She addresses tensions following recent crises, highlighting the urgent need for justice alongside coexistence.
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Comedy As Political Amplifier
- Noam shifted from diplomacy to comedy because comedy reaches millions and uncensors political speech.
- She uses Arabic and messy identities to connect across audiences and amplify messages broadly.
Comedians Shape Political Norms
- Noam says comedians shape public tone and bear responsibility for political rhetoric.
- She mourns peers who made genocidal jokes and normalized propaganda in Israel's discourse.
Normalization Leads To Dehumanization
- She traces genocidal humor to decades of dehumanization and normalization of occupation.
- Normalizing occupation makes violent rhetoric socially acceptable over time.