Seinfeld addresses Duke University graduation, students walk out in protest

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld was booed by some students who walked out in protest as he arrived to give the commencement speech at Duke University.

The student chants and walkout was part of a larger trend of demonstrations taking place at college campuses across the US to protest Israel’s ongoing war on besieged Gaza.

As Seinfeld was introduced by school president Vincent Price, chants of “free free Palestine” drowned out the proceedings, captured in videos shared on social media.

The protest escalated as graduating students unfurled Palestinian flags and exited the stadium in a show of defiance against the comedian's views and his ongoing support of Israel.

Despite the disruption, Seinfeld proceeded with his speech, offering general life advice to the graduates without directly addressing the protest.

Meanwhile, chants from the departing graduates reverberated from the parking lot.

The comedian's ties to Duke University, where he is both a parent of two students, have stirred controversy, particularly in light of his vocal support for Israel.

Seinfeld's wife also made headlines for her involvement in funding a pro-Israel counterprotest at UCLA.

In the lead-up to the ceremony, opposition to Seinfeld's appearance was voiced by students like PhD program graduate Rev. Dr. Stefan Weathers Sr., who characterised the Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza as "genocide."

Warning of disruptions, Weathers emphasised the determination of students to make their voices heard.

Israel has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians and wounded at least 77,000 since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis.