At Duke University’s commencement ceremony, a significant number of students staged a walkout as Jerry Seinfeld took the stage, protesting his expressed support for Israel amidst its conflict with Gaza. The moment Seinfeld was introduced, these students, visibly carrying a Palestinian flag, exited their seats, making a strong statement about their disagreement with his political stance.
The larger audience, however, responded with loud cheers of “Jerry! Jerry!” supporting Seinfeld as he proceeded with his speech and accepted an honorary degree from the university. The cheers temporarily overshadowed the protest, but as the noise settled, there were sporadic boos and shouts of “Free Palestine” heard from different parts of the venue.
Seinfeld has publicly backed Israel following the devastating attacks by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in significant loss of life and the taking of hostages. His involvement went beyond vocal support; he also met with families of the hostages and visited a kibbutz that had been affected by the terror attacks during a trip to Israel in December.
In his commencement address, Seinfeld chose not to discuss the conflict or his political views, focusing instead on advising the graduates about embracing hard work and finding passion in their endeavors. His speech highlighted the importance of enduring the challenging parts of work and life, which he humorously described as the “torture you’re comfortable with.”
This protest at Duke University was part of a larger wave of campus demonstrations across the United States, where students have been vocal about urging their universities to sever ties with Israel due to the ongoing conflict. Similar protests occurred at Rutgers University and Virginia Commonwealth University, reflecting a growing trend of political activism at academic ceremonies.
Despite the disturbance, Seinfeld’s appearance at Duke went on without further incident, marking a moment of contention that underscores the deep divisions and passionate opinions on global conflicts within the academic community.