Columnist Hanania Returning to Mideast as Part of Comedy Tour

By: E&P Staff The comedy troupe that includes self-syndicated columnist Ray Hanania is returning to the Mideast for another set of shows.

Hanania told E&P that about 10 performances are planned between June 6 and June 18 in Israel and the West Bank. As E&P previously reported, the "Israeli-Palestinian Comedy Tour" played Jerusalem in January.

"Humor is a very powerful way to change attitudes and perceptions," said Hanania, whose column often comments on Mideast issues.

Hanania is a Palestinian-American journalist married to a Jewish woman. The other comedians on the tour include Aaron Freeman (a black man who converted to Judaism), Charley Warady (who emigrated from the U.S. to Israel 10 years ago), and Yisrael Campbell (a former Catholic who became an Orthodox Jew). Emceeing the shows is Shachar Chason, an Israeli stand-up comedian.