Graduating seniors at Duke University walked out of their commencement while chanting "free Palestine" during a speech by comedian Jerry Seinfeld, whose family has financial ties to pro-Israel demonstrations on college campuses.
The students, clad in their graduation regalia and carrying Palestinian flags, left the football field at theNorth Carolina college where the ceremoney was taking place, while others remained and booed the standup comedian. Videos posted to X also showed some individuals leaving the bleachers where non-graduates were watching the ceremony.
student walkout at Duke university commencement as Jerry Seinfeld’s speech is announced. his introduction by university president is being drowned out by “free free Palestine” chants ❤️🔥🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/oNLesaput3
— the great clown snorman (@iamschvitzing) May 12, 2024
While Seinfeld steered clear of current politics during his speech, he has been a vocal supporter of Israel throughout the war in Gaza. In December, he traveled to Israel and met with the families of the individuals held hostage by Hamas.
Seinfeld's wife, Jessica Seinfeld, also publicly shared that she donated $5,000 to pro-Israel demonstrators at the University of California in Los Angeles. Pro-Palestinian students at UCLA were attacked by a violent group of counter-protesters — provoking condemnation from the union that represents UC graduate students and university officials, escalating tensions on the California campus.
"I just gave to this GoFundMe to support more allies like yesterday's at UCLA," Seinfeld wrote. "More cities are being planned so please give what you can. Donations are annonymous [sic]. We will continue to share our light and love, as proud American Jews."
It remains unclear whether the activists who benefited from the GoFundMe are in any way connected to the individuals who attacked the encampment.
Last night’s attack on our students, faculty and community members shook our campus to its core. Please read my message to the @UCLA community. https://t.co/jWfFWPFY3x
— Gene Block (@UCLAchancellor) May 1, 2024
The 70-year-old comedian has recently triggered controversy on other fronts. During an interview promoting his new film "Unfrosted" he told the New Yorker that "the extreme left and P.C. crap" had ruined television comedy, even as his "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David is being lauded for the final season of his sitcom "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
Last fall, critics on social media called attention to the fact that as a 38-year-old sitcom star, he publicly dated a 17-year-old high school student named Shoshanna Lonstein.
