Jerry Seinfeld drew thunderous applause and laughter from the audience when he poked fun at a group of anti-Israel hecklers at his show in Melbourne over the weekend.
Seinfeld was performing at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night, the latest stop on his Australian tour, when a group of anti-Israel protesters began chanting, “You support genocide” just before he was about to finish his show.
Jerry Seinfeld slams Australian anti-Israel hecklers: “He solved the Middle East!”
Jerry Seinfeld, writer, director and star of “Unfrosted,” poses at the premiere of the Netflix film at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Despite the interruption, the 70-year-old comedy legend, who has been vocal in his support for the Jewish state, remained undeterred.
“Oh, they’re back. The protesters are back! I miss them,” he replied. “Oh, you’re not feeling well. You’re in a lot of pain.”
“I think we need to tell the people who run the organizations, ‘We just gave the Jews more money,'” he later joked.
“That’s not going to be a good plan for you guys. That’s not what you want… We’ve got to come up with a better plan,” Seinfeld continued as security escorted the protesters out of the arena.
Footage of the exchange was posted online on Sunday and shared widely on social media, with Seinfeld onstage mocking the protesters while the audience can be heard laughing and applauding.
Jerry Seinfeld protested by pro-Palestinian group outside New York theater over Israel: ‘Complicity in genocide’
That evening, a group of anti-Israel protesters were seen outside the arena holding signs that read “Fuck Jerry Seinfeld.” According to news.com.au.
Seinfeld has faced similar turmoil during previous shows during his Australian tour.
When a bystander chanted “Palestine will be free from the river to the sea” during a Sydney show, the comedy star sarcastically replied: “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a genius here. He has solved the Middle East problem. Solved it.”
Jerry Seinfeld performs at the GOOD+ Foundation benefit event, An Evening of Comedy and Music, at Carnegie Hall on September 12, 2018 in New York City. (Manny Caravel/Getty Images)
“Jewish comedians are the ones we need to get. They’re the ones doing it all,” he continued.
Protesters continued to chant “Free Palestine,” to which Seinfeld replied, “Please, carry on.”
“In three seconds people are going to start punching you, so I want to bring out all of your talent so people can learn from you. This is a comedy show, you idiot. Get out of here,” Seinfeld said.
He added, “You are really inspiring everyone here. You have expressed your opinion very well and in the right place and we are all on your side. This is the best place to have political discussions.”
The audience cheered along as Seinfeld mocked the idea of protesting a comedy show over international issues.
At another show in Adelaide, a man waved a Palestinian flag and chanted “Free Palestine” as the audience booed, and called Seinfeld a “bad boy,” news.com.au reported.
Seinfeld, Margulies and other industry executives slam Hollywood hypocrisy on anti-Semitism: “It has let us down so badly.”
“You have strong political feelings but you don’t know where to put them,” the comedian countered, according to the outlet. “You think ruining the night doesn’t affect me, but you’re ruining the night for all these people.”
Seinfeld mocked it as well. When anti-Israel protesters disrupted his performance in Virginia in May, he commented, “This is fun. I love it. I think your message is really resonating with the audience. People seem to be on your side.”
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 19: Jerry Seinfeld stands on stage at the Classic Car Forum at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 19, 2023 in Monterey, California. (Photo by Matt Jelonek/Getty Images) (Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)
“I People who hate Jews It adds spice to the show,” he joked.
Seinfeld, who is Jewish, was among the Hollywood stars who criticized colleagues for being reluctant to speak up. Hamas attacks on Israel And there was a noticeable increase in anti-Semitism afterwards. A few days after the massacre, he declared: “I will always stand with Israel And the Jews.”
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The comedian recently traveled to Israel to witness the aftermath of the October 7 attacks and meet with families of hostages held by Hamas.
