Jerry Seinfeld Booed During Commencement Address at Duke University; Pro-Hamas Students Stage Walk Out
Edited by: Fern Sidman
During the recent commencement ceremony at Duke University, a significant protest unfolded as dozens of students walked out in response to guest speaker Jerry Seinfeld’s introduction, highlighting the deep divisions over his public support for Israel. According to a report on Sunday in the New York Post, this disruptive act, which involved students carrying a Palestinian flag, occurred right as the comedian, known for his iconic TV show, took the stage. While the protesters made a silent statement, the larger crowd’s reaction was mixed but predominantly supportive of Seinfeld.
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
As Seinfeld was announced, the immediate response was a notable walkout by a group of pro-Hamas, pro-terror students, visually punctuated by the display of a Palestinian flag. This gesture was quickly overshadowed by loud cheers from the rest of the audience, chanting Seinfeld’s name in a show of support, as was reported by the Post. However, the atmosphere was charged, and as the initial cheers subsided, echoes of dissent were heard with boos and shouts of “Free Palestine,” indicating a split in attendee sentiments.
Jerry Seinfeld’s presence at Duke was controversial due to his outspoken support for Israel, especially following the events of October 7, where a massacre led by Hamas resulted in the brutal massacre of 1200 Israelis and other and the abduction of 250 hostages, as was indicated in the Post report. His recent trip to Israel, where he met with families of hostages and visited areas affected by the conflict, further solidified his stance and brought his political views into sharper focus at the event.
Many rushed to shame @DukeU for what happened today, at the Graduation ceremony – a bunch of pro-palestine students booed Jerry Seinfeld and left before his speech. I know from personal sources that Duke handled exemplary the whole anti-jewish ordeal. There were no encampments,… pic.twitter.com/TbxzolLxow
— miha schwartzenberg (@mihaschw) May 12, 2024
Despite the charged atmosphere, Seinfeld chose not to address the conflict or his political stances during his commencement address. Instead, he focused on themes of perseverance and passion in life’s pursuits. His advice to the graduates emphasized the importance of embracing both the rewarding and challenging aspects of work, exercise, and relationships, humorously describing them as having components of “pure torture” yet being entirely worthwhile, as was noted in the Post report. This approach aimed to inspire and guide students as they transition to the next phase of their lives, steering clear of the geopolitical tensions that marked his introduction.
In a season marked by academic celebration, several U.S. universities have witnessed a wave of political protests during commencement ceremonies. The focal point of these anti-Semitic protests has been the demand for universities to sever ties with Israel in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Post reported that this year, high-profile anti-Israel incidents have punctuated ceremonies at institutions such as Duke University, Rutgers University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of California, Berkeley, underscoring the intensity of student activism on this issue.
At Rutgers University, approximately 60 students exited their commencement ceremony, many donning keffiyehs instead of traditional graduation caps, and brandished a banner featuring the Palestinian flag’s colors. According to the Post report, this protest broke out midway through the event, echoing the sentiments felt at Duke and demonstrating a coordinated effort among students to voice their anti-Israel animus.
The trend continued at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of California, Berkeley, where students also staged walkouts. At Virginia Commonwealth, the protest occurred during a speech by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, and at Berkeley, students disrupted the ceremony by waving Palestinian flags, the Post reported. These protests highlight the growing willingness of students to use commencement ceremonies as platforms to express their political grievances, particularly regarding U.S. institutions’ affiliations with Israel.
