The Tribeca Festival condemned remarks made by actor-comedian Elon Gold and influencer Lizzy Savetsky during a red carpet interview tied to “The Wedding Entertainer,” calling the “offensive and unacceptable” joke a mocking of sexual violence. Savetsky later de
Under the lights of the Tribeca Festival red carpet, a joke about sexual violence spread fast—so fast the festival says it couldn’t catch up.
During an interview connected to “The Wedding Entertainer (The Tale of Moishe Badhan). ” actor-comedian Elon Gold said the film was shot in Israel. He then added. “I was only raped by two Israeli dogs. ” a line that drew immediate backlash when influencer Lizzy Savetsky responded. “I thought they only rape Palestinians.” Gold continued: “No. I got also a dog.”.
The clip ricocheted across social media and quickly triggered outrage. In a statement posted on social media. the Tribeca Festival said the remarks were “offensive and unacceptable.” The festival added: “Sexual violence and human suffering should never be mocked or minimized. ” and said the comments “do not reflect the Tribeca Festival’s values. ” while expressing “regret” for the “hurt and offense they have caused.”.
Tribeca said it had been unable to reach the filmmakers. A Tribeca spokesperson also said Savetsky was not in the film and was not credentialed by the festival, but was invited to the premiere by the film team.
Gold’s manager did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Savetsky later addressed the furor in a video statement posted to social media. She said the remarks were aimed at what she described as a “ridiculous claim” in the New York Times—one she said alleged Israeli officials trained dogs to rape Palestinians. She accused the paper of publishing “this piece with zero evidence. ” and said. “we’re all just supposed to sit here with a straight face and take it like it is some sort of truth.”.
Savetsky also said Tribeca is a “forum that is meant to spark dialogue,” and argued that Jewish comedians have long used humor as a way to cope with anti-Semitism.
The film at the center of the controversy. “The Wedding Entertainer. ” tells the story of a disgraced Hasidic comedian seeking one last gig to raise the $20. 000 needed to marry off his daughter. The plot centers on his effort to secure a booking and his decision to co-host a son’s wedding with his childhood best friend. alongside a “younger and flashier” wedding MC played by Gold. Gold is also an executive producer.
For Tribeca, the question is not whether the joke was intended as commentary. In its statement, the festival drew a clear line: sexual violence and human suffering, it said, should not be treated as material for mockery—no matter the setting or the argument that follows.
Tribeca Festival Elon Gold Lizzy Savetsky The Wedding Entertainer red carpet interview offensive joke sexual violence Israel Palestinians New York Times Jewish comedy