Michael Che calls Israel’s violence in Gaza ‘genocide’ on ‘SNL’, co-host Colin Jost stunned
The moment came during the programme’s Weekend Update segment on Saturday, ahead of Halloween
Colin Jost was visibly surprised after Michael Che made a joke about Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza during the latest episode of Saturday Night Live.
The moment came during the programme’s Weekend Update segment on Saturday, October 31, 2026, when the co-hosts discussed political developments ahead of Halloween.
Alongside jokes about US politicians and election controversies, Che turned his attention to Israel’s October 27 elections.
Commenting on voter participation, Che said: “This week, a record number of people voted in Israel’s election — which is great to see, regardless of if you’re on the right side, or the left side, or the genocide.”
The camera immediately cut to Jost, whose mouth dropped open in an exaggerated expression of shock.
He briefly looked around before continuing with the segment and moving on to a joke about an election controversy involving Senator Dan Sullivan in Alaska.
Che’s remark appeared to target Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political position and the country’s military campaign in Gaza against Hamas.
The joke referenced the wider international controversy surrounding the conflict, with several international bodies, human rights organisations, legal experts and governments describing Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide.
The political exchange was among the most talked-about moments of the Weekend Update segment, which also featured Ben Marshall appearing as a reformed Pennywise the Clown.
Che and Jost have regularly used the segment to address political developments through satire, although this particular remark prompted an especially striking on-camera reaction from Jost.
