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By Sophie Lloyd
Pop Culture and Entertainment Reporter
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Footage of a student walkout during Jerry Seinfeld's commencement speech at Duke University has gone viral.
Students began to leave their seats as the comedian was introduced by the university president, Vincent Price, on Sunday. The walkout was protesting the Israel-Hamas war, with some students grouping together to carry a large Palestinian flag as they exited the football field where the ceremony was being held.
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A video of the moment was shared to X, formerly Twitter, by user @iamschvitzing. In the clip, the audience erupts into a mixture of cheers, jeers and applause, while some spectators yell: "Free Palestine."
"[Seinfeld's] introduction by university president is being drowned out by 'free free Palestine' chants," @iamschvitzing wrote alongside the video, which has received 3 million views in less than 24 hours.
Newsweek reached out to Jerry Seinfeld and Duke University for comment via email.
The Context
Several celebrities have shared their thoughts on the Israel-Hamas war. Some have advocated for Palestinians, while others have shown support for Israel, including Seinfeld.
The current conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, when the Palestinian militant group launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking around 240 hostages. Israel subsequently attacked and invaded the Gaza Strip. Supplies of food, medicine, fuel and energy to the area were cut off by Israel, before a ground offensive into the territory was launched in late October.
At least 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza so far, according to the Associated Press, citing the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and military deaths. A message from the United Nations Population Fund in April said 1.7 million of Gaza's 2.3 million population had been made homeless by the fighting.
What We Know
In the 1990s, Seinfeld was known for his apolitical, observational comedy style. However, the 70-year-old has spoken out against the rise of antisemitism in the U.S. following outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
Seinfeld traveled to Tel Aviv in December to meet with the families of hostages taken by Hamas, and he has shown support for Israel on social media.
Like many public faces who have shared their views on the conflict—whether in support of Israel, Palestinians, or attempting to remain neutral—Seinfeld has come under fire for his comments.
The backlash intensified after his wife, Jessica Seinfeld, donated at least $5,000 to a counter-protest at the University of California, Los Angeles, on April 30, along with promoting a GoFundMe on her Instagram account.
Counter-protestors clashed with pro-Palestinian advocates at the scene, leading to violence. It's unclear if the counter-protestors that reportedly led the attacks were linked to the GoFundMe page Jessica Seinfeld shared.
Although not an alum of Duke University, the college bestowed an honorary degree on Seinfeld on Sunday. The sitcom's star's daughter Sascha, 23, is a Duke graduate, while his 21-year-old son Julian is a current student.
Views
After @iamschvitzing's video went viral, many X users shared their views on the protest, as well as Duke University's decision to choose Seinfeld as commencement speaker.
"Salute to the students," commented @stickyshed.
"Love to see it," said Jeremy Alder.
"Badass," wrote @ripwaterdog.
"Had I been there, I would have chanted 'Free free Palestine,' too," said @Heedjpmcg.
"Very weird that Duke university would choose Seinfeld as the speaker and especially this year?" asked @DarthProgressi1. "What immense contribution has seinfeld made to the world that makes him worthy of speaking to this academic crowd?"
However, others defended the Emmy winner, dubbing the protestors "pathetic losers."
"Not even 50 left. Fail," said @NeoUnrealist.
"They really showed him," wrote @elsalomebarojas.
"Sad [that] they think they are accomplishing a lot with these antics," said Miguel. "Take that degree and work in government, public policy use it as a real tool to effect change."
Some users accusing Seinfeld's critics of antisemitism, with @BaKishke referring to the protestors as "Jew haters."
"A bunch of Nazis," commented Lynn Barat.
"This is not about Palestine. It never was," claimed Paul M, calling the walkout "Nazi grade Jew hate."
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