In a recent episode of his show, Real Time on HBO, comedian Bill Maher sparked controversy with his pro-Israel monologue, stating that Palestinians should "move on" 75 years after their displacement. Maher argued that Israel cannot negotiate with a people whose position is "you all die and disappear."

During Maher's eight-minute monologue on the season finale of his show, he delved into the history of Bethlehem and the rise and fall of various empires in the region. Maher pointed out that while not everyone always liked the empire that took over, eventually, accommodation was reached—with the exception of the Palestinians.

Highlighting the history of displaced people around the world resulting from war and ethnic cleansing, Maher mentioned the nearly one million Jews displaced from Arab countries and those fleeing the cossacks in the Russian empire. He emphasized that despite the challenges, these displaced communities were able to cope.

Towards the end of his monologue, Maher discussed the numerous opportunities for peace deals between Israelis and Palestinians, where Palestinians were offered their state and declined. He specifically referenced the potential for east Jerusalem to be the capital of a Palestinian state, which he suggested could have thrived similar to Dubai. Maher noted that Arafat declined an offer of 95% of the West Bank.

Expressing his frustration, Maher highlighted the difficulty of negotiating when the Palestinians' bargaining position seems to be centered around the annihilation of Israel. He argued that the idea of achieving Palestine from "the river to the sea" is entirely unrealistic and urged Palestinians to "get serious."

Bill Maher's staunch defense of Israel on his show is nothing new. In May 2021, he engaged in a heated debate with a guest over allegations of Israel committing war crimes during the Guardian of the Walls Operation.

While Maher's views have garnered mixed reactions from viewers, his pro-Israel stance and his call for Palestinians to "move on" continue to fuel the ongoing debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.