Jerry Seinfeld drew sharp criticism after likening the “Free Palestine” movement to the Ku Klux Klan during an unannounced appearance at Duke University, where he introduced a former Israeli hostage.
The longtime comedian and television star made the remarks during a campus event focused on Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov, who was held captive by Hamas for 505 days after being abducted at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. Seinfeld said to the audience. According to the Duke Chronicle, he went further, drawing a direct comparison between pro-Palestinian slogans and white supremacist rhetoric.
A Duke University spokesperson responded to the backlash by clarifying that the school does not vet speakers’ remarks and that hosting them does not indicate endorsement. Seinfeld has been outspoken in his support for Israel throughout the ongoing war in Gaza. In December 2023, he traveled to Tel Aviv, where he met with hostage families and experienced a missile attack during his visit.