Jerry Seinfeld Compares “Free Palestine” Movement to Ku Klux Klan at Duke University
In a surprising appearance at Duke University, comedian Jerry Seinfeld drew a controversial parallel between the “free Palestine” movement and the Ku Klux Klan, stating that both groups share a dislike for Jews. This comment was made during an event honoring Omer Shem Tov, an Israeli hostage who was taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and held for over 500 days.
Seinfeld briefly introduced Shem Tov before turning his attention to critics of Israel, sarcastically claiming that the KKK was more upfront about their anti-Jewish sentiments. “Free Palestine is free to say to me that you don’t like Jews. You just say that you don’t like Jews,” he commented.
Seinfeld elaborated, saying, “By saying ‘free Palestine’, you don’t accept what you really think. It’s actually — compared to the Ku Klux Klan, I think the Klan is somewhat more honest because they can just come out and say, ‘We don’t like Black people, we don’t like Jews.’ At least that’s honest.” His remarks drew a mix of reactions, including chants of “Free Palestine” from some attendees.
The university’s spokesperson later clarified that Duke does not endorse Seinfeld’s comments, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to exploring diverse viewpoints in a respectful setting. “Duke does not preview or approve the statements of external speakers, and their presence on campus should not be interpreted as an endorsement of their views,” the statement read.
A spokesperson noted that Seinfeld made a surprise appearance at a student-led event, and several other campus organizations had helped arrange logistics for the gathering. In a continuation of the chaotic atmosphere, protests erupted during his speech, with some students chanting “Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!” in response to the disruptive protests.
Seinfeld is known for his strong support of Israel, and this event comes amidst ongoing tensions related to the conflict with Hamas. His remarks, however, stirred up significant conversation about the complexities of such issues and how they play out in public discourse.
