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Jerry Seinfeld Faces Protests at Duke University After Visiting Israel to Support Hostage Families
The Jewish-American comedian was booed by anti-Israel students during his honorary degree ceremony — but received loud applause from supporters
(Photo: Family Headquarters)Jewish-American actor and comedian Jerry Seinfeld visited Israel to show his support for the country amid the war. During his visit, he met with families of the hostages and toured several kibbutzim that suffered devastating losses in the October 7 attacks.
Soon after, Seinfeld appeared at Duke University, where he was scheduled to receive an honorary degree — but the event was disrupted by anti-Israel protests. As he approached the podium to deliver his speech, a group of students began booing and shouting “Free Palestine”, with some leaving the hall in protest. One student was seen waving a Palestinian flag while exiting.
Despite the disruption, hundreds of students remained, cheering and applauding Seinfeld in a strong show of support. During his speech, Seinfeld chose not to address the war directly.
This isn’t the first time Seinfeld has faced backlash for his support of Israel. Some months ago, he was harassed by protesters in New York, who accused him of supporting “genocide.” The comedian has continued to speak out in defense of Israel despite the criticism.
Upon his arrival in Israel, Seinfeld and his family visited the headquarters of the families of hostages, meeting with relatives and survivors who were released from Gaza. He told them that he felt a deep moral obligation to raise global awareness about the hostages whose lives remain in danger.
Seinfeld has long expressed his connection to Israel. He has shared that he lived on a kibbutz at age 16, and that his heart breaks over the recent events. “I will always stand with Israel and the Jewish people,” he wrote.
His wife, Jessica Seinfeld, accompanied him on the trip and described the emotional impact of what they witnessed: “We wanted to see with our own eyes the aftermath of the attacks. We saw homes where families were tortured, shot, bombed, and burned alive. We stood in the field where hundreds of young people at a music festival were murdered or kidnapped. As painful as it was, what I’ll remember most are the heroes we met — Israelis who saved countless lives, young volunteers from New York who came to work on farms, freed hostages, and families still waiting for loved ones.”
She added: “This was my fifth visit to Israel, and I have never seen the country more united. People from all walks of life — wounded soldiers, peace activists, and families of victims, have all come together for a higher purpose: to defeat Hamas, rebuild a safer Israel, and create a better, safer world.”
