Joan Rivers in hot water after insensitive Gaza comments
Joan Rivers' sharp tongue is getting her into pretty serious trouble.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee is asking US TV network NBC to discipline Rivers, 81, for a quote she allegedly gave TMZ, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
According to Contactmusic.com, the comedian said of the Gaza conflict: "They started it... You deserve to be dead... At least the ones that were killed were the ones with very low IQs."
The anti-discrimination committee has their own harsh words for the TV personality.
"Rivers is a prime example of media actors either encouraging or obliging the dehumanisation of the Palestinian people," they said in a statement.
"Her comments, in which she also says that all Palestinians should get nose jobs, make light of and intend to degrade the humanitarian crisis of which the Palestinians are victims," the organisation added.
Contactmusic.com added that the American personality subsequently insisted her words had been "taken out of context".
That hasn't helped so far. People have started protesting in the UK, where Rivers is headed to in October for an upcoming stand-up comedy tour of the country in October.
British politicians have even backed a petition calling for her shows to be cancelled. The petition, started by Newcastle City Councillor Dipu Ahad and backed by Member of Parliament George Galloway, has gained more than 13,000 signatures so far.
Sources: Contactmusic.com, The Hollywood Reporter
Photo: YouTube
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now