Jerry Seinfeld Faces Antisemitism but Remains Steadfast for Israel

The Jewish-American comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, recently traveled to Israel to show his support for the country. He met with families of hostages and visited kibbutzim that experienced a tragic disaster. A few days ago (Sunday), Seinfeld arrived at Duke University to receive an honorary degree. When he was about to give his speech, he was met with boos as some students left in protest.

Seinfeld was set to receive the award when suddenly there were boos and chants for Palestinian liberation from students protesting his support for Israel. One student was photographed leaving with a Palestinian flag. Despite the protest, hundreds of students who stayed cheered for Seinfeld and welcomed him with applause.

In his speech, Seinfeld did not address the conflict. Notably, about two and a half months ago, Seinfeld was attacked in New York by demonstrators who called him a "genocide supporter," yet this did not deter him from continuing his stance.

Upon arriving in Israel, Seinfeld and his family visited the Family Headquarters for an emotional meeting with representatives of the hostage families and hostages who were freed from Gaza. He told the families he feels "a deep commitment to raising global awareness about the hostages whose lives are in immediate danger."

This is not the first time Seinfeld has stood by Israel. Recently, he shared that he lived in a kibbutz at age 16 and acknowledged that his heart breaks over the events in Israel. He wrote, "I will always stand by Israel and the Jewish people."

Seinfeld's wife, Jessica, also joined him on this journey and said, "We wanted to see firsthand the aftermath of the attack. We saw homes where families were tortured, shot, bombed, and burned alive. We stood in the area where hundreds of teenagers were murdered and kidnapped at a music festival. As painful as it was to be in those places, what I'll remember most is the amazing people we met in Israel - heroes who saved thousands of lives. Young people from New York who came to work on farms to replace those who went to fight against Hamas. Hostages who were freed and families with loved ones still captive undergoing trauma yet still wanting to help. Extraordinary people who came together to provide emergency aid through civil service.

This was my fifth visit to Israel - and I've never seen a more united country," she added. "People from all walks of life, from wounded soldiers to families of peace activists whose mothers, fathers, or siblings were murdered or are still held captive in Gaza. The horror erased divisions within Israel. Everyone united for a greater cause - to defeat Hamas, to build a better and safer Israel, and a better and safer world."