Jerry Seinfeld has found himself the target of an unexpected political attack amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, but the actor and comedian finds it “pretty ridiculous” and “funny.”
The “Seinfeld” star, who has faced criticism from pro-Palestinian protesters in recent weeks, spoke about the backlash in an interview on the “Honestly with Bari Weiss” podcast.
Earlier this month, Seinfeld's commencement speech at Duke University was interrupted by a wave of students walking out (some of whom were seen carrying Palestinian flags, linking their protest to Seinfeld's support for Israel), and less than a week later, protesters disrupted his stand-up comedy show in Virginia.
When asked by host Bari Weiss about becoming a “politicized” person, Seinfeld described his controversial positions as “very stupid,” adding, “It's hilarious that people make me political.”
“I tell[people who come to my show]'It's great that young people are interested in politics. We just need to adjust our targeting a little bit,'” Seinfeld joked. “They don't seem to understand that as comedians, we don't really have any control over anything.”
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The comedian visited Israel last year following the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.
On October 9, Seinfeld posted an “I Support Israel” graphic on social media, writing, “I lived and worked on a kibbutz in Israel when I was 16 years old and have loved the Jewish homeland ever since. These attacks and atrocities break my heart.”
Jerry Seinfeld's protest:Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt comedian's show after Duke University walkout
Jerry Seinfeld's comedy show interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters
During a performance at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, Virginia on May 18, Seinfeld was interrupted by several politically motivated hecklers.
Video published by TMZ at the time showed protesters standing up and yelling, “You're a supporter of genocide” during Seinfeld's performance. In another video shared on X, protesters could be heard yelling, “Save the children of Gaza.”
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A representative for SevenVenues confirmed to USA Today that about 10 people disrupted the comedian's sold-out 7:30 p.m. performance, but were removed by security without further incident.
“It's so ridiculous,” Seinfeld told Weiss about the criticism. “They seem to want to express this sincere, intense outrage, but again, it's a little bit off the mark. To me, that's comedy.”
Students walk out of Jerry Seinfeld's Duke University commencement speech
When Seinfeld took the stage to speak at Duke University's commencement on May 12, students were seen exiting the stage in a group. Videos on Social Media Some students held up Palestinian flags in protest of the cartoons shown at the time, which supported Israel, while other attendees I heard voices of support Seinfeld yells “Jerry!”
Seinfeld, who received an honorary degree from Duke University, did not mention the student walkout in his commencement speech, nor did he comment on the war between Israel and Hamas.
Jerry Seinfeld:Students walk out of Duke University graduation speech after comedian supports Israel
Instead, the “Unfrosted” director gave a comedic speech to the students, telling them, “I can't imagine how tired you are of hearing about following your passion. Who cares about passion? Find something that you can do, and that's great. Try something, and if it doesn't work, that's OK. Most things don't work.”
Seinfeld praised the graduates for their generation's ambition to “create a more just and inclusive society”, adding: “Don't lose your sense of humor.”
Contributor: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY
