The two largest Hollywood unions voiced support for Kimmel. Plus, Bernie Sanders becomes first US senator to say Israel committing genocide in Gaza
Good morning.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been suspended “indefinitely” after comments he made about the killing of Charlie Kirk, ABC has announced, hours after the Donald Trump-appointed chair of the broadcast regulator threatened broadcasters’ licenses if action was not taken against the late-night host.
What did Kimmel say? During his opening monologue for Tuesday night’s show, Kimmel said: “Many in Maga-land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.” He accused the US vice-president, JD Vance, of blaming the left for Kirk’s death without evidence. “Here’s a question JD Vance might be able to answer: who wanted to hang the guy who was vice-president before you? Was that the liberal left? Or the toothless army who stormed the Capitol on January 6?” Kimmel said.
How are people reacting? Trump celebrated the suspension on social media, calling it “great news for America”. But the two largest Hollywood unions – the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild – as well as several Democratic lawmakers voiced support for Kimmel.
What’s the context? It comes after an independent UN commission of experts concluded that Israel’s actions “meet the criteria set forth in the genocide convention”. It said: “Explicit statements by Israeli civilian and military authorities and the pattern of conduct of the Israeli security forces indicate that the genocidal acts were committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as a group.”
What’s the latest in Gaza City? The Israeli ground operation, which began on Tuesday morning, continues with Israeli troops pressing ahead yesterday, making further efforts to force more people to flee their homes and travel to overcrowded and unsafe areas in the south of the devastated territory. Read our coverage here.
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