Duke University students walk out during Jerry Seinfeld’s speech over support to Israel

Several students walked out of Duke University’s commencement ceremony on Sunday to protest against guest speaker and comedian Jerry Seinfeld over his support of Israel during the war in Gaza. Some of them also chanted ‘Free Palestine’ during the protest.

A video of the incident went viral on social media and showed dozens of students wearing robes and caps getting up from their seats and walking out as soon as Seinfeld was called to the stage. Students were also seen waving a Palestinian flag while they were walking out.

Others cheered for Seinfeld as he received his honorary degree and delivered his speech without any major interruption amid the students’ walkout.

During his speech, the 70-year-old TV star told students to embrace hard work and continue to do what they love doing. He also wished them good luck for the next step in their lives.

“A lot of you are thinking, ‘I can’t believe they invited this guy.’ Too late,” he said, vowing to “defend” the concept of privilege.

“I say, use your privilege. I grew up a Jewish boy from New York. That is a privilege if you want to be a comedian,” he was quoted as saying by The New York Post.

Seinfeld has been vocal about his support for Israel after it was attacked by Hamas on October 7 last year. The Jewish state then launched a war against Hamas in Gaza.

During his visit to Israel in December last year, the comedian visited a kibbutz (neighbourhood) that was attacked by Hamas and met with families of hostages.

Reacting to the dozens of students walking out from the Duke University commencement event, spokesperson Frank Tramble said, “We understand the depth of feeling in our community, and as we have all year, we respect the right of everyone at Duke to express their views peacefully, without preventing graduates and their families from celebrating their achievement.”

This came as protests have roiled several US universities over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza since last month. Several students chanted anti-Israel slogans and set up tents on campuses, calling on universities to divest from arms suppliers and other companies profiting from the war.

The demonstrations have forced universities such as Columbia in New York and University of Southern California in Los Angeles to cancel their respective graduation ceremonies this month. Other universities and colleges have postponed their commencement ceremonies.

(with inputs from Reuters)