Jerry Seinfeld blasts 'Free Palestine' activists, compares them to Ku Klux Klan at Duke University event

At a recent event at Duke University, Jewish actor and comedian Jerry Seinfeld compared “Free Palestine” supporters to members of the Ku Klux Klan while introducing Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov.

The program was organized by Chabad at Duke in partnership with the Provost’s Initiative on the Middle East and other campus groups. During his remarks, Seinfeld said that Ku Klux Klan members were “actually a little better,” since they openly acknowledge their hatred of Jews.

“Free Palestine is, to me, just – you’re free to say you don’t like Jews. Just say you don’t like Jews,” Seinfeld said according to the student newspaper the Duke Chronicle about the movement, which has gained support on university campuses across the United States.

“By saying Free Palestine, you’re not admitting what you really think,” he continued. “So it’s actually – compared to the Ku Klux Klan, I’m actually thinking the Klan is actually a little better here because they can come right out and say, ‘We don’t like Blacks, we don’t like Jews.’ Okay, that’s honest.” 

Seinfeld’s appearance at the event was unannounced, and after his remarks, Duke University administrators appeared to distance themselves from responsibility for his participation and comments.

“Tuesday’s talk was a Chabad at Duke student-led event that invited Shem Tov to share the story of his spiritual journey during 505 days in captivity,” a University spokesperson told the Duke Chronicle. “Jerry Seinfeld introduced the speaker and requested his appearance not be announced beforehand, given Omer Shem Tov’s experiences were the focus of the event.” 

“Duke does not preview the remarks of speakers who are invited to campus, and the invitation of speakers to campus does not imply any endorsement of their remarks,” the spokesperson added. 

Seinfeld has been an outspoken supporter of Israel even before the start of the Oct. 7 war. He visited the Jewish State in December 2023, meeting with hostage families and touring the devastated southern communities Hamas invaded during its attacks. 

However, since the war, Seinfeld has become more outspoken about antisemitism, particularly after being labeled a “genocide supporter” and a “Nazi” following his public support for Israel’s war against Hamas during a May 2024 comedy show.

Also in 2024 he delivered the commencement address at Duke, but about 100 graduates walked out in protest with some chanting “Free Palestine.”

Speaking at a comedy show in Australia, where he was harassed and interrupted by pro-Palestine protesters, Seinfeld told them, “Here’s the other thing I think you need to go back and tell whoever’s running your organization, ‘We just gave more money to a Jew.’” 

Jerry Seinfeld shut down pro-Palestine protesters at his show after they disrupted his set with chants of “From the river to the sea.”

Seinfeld replied:
“Go back and tell whoever’s running your organization, ‘We just gave more money to a Jew. That can’t be a good plan for you.… pic.twitter.com/ADbcbvf5pz

— Yossi Farro (@FarroYossi) December 17, 2024

Seinfeld noted the irony that the pro-Palestinian hecklers had purchased tickets to attend the comedy show.