During Duke University’s commencement ceremony, several students staged a walkout in protest against comedian Jerry Seinfeld‘s support for Israel amidst the Gaza conflict.
The walkout, captured in a video shared on social media, showed students chanting “Free Palestine” as they exited the stadium, some waving Palestinian flags.
While Seinfeld received an honorary degree and delivered his speech without major interruptions, some attendees shouted support for him.
Seinfeld addressed the controversy, acknowledging the sentiment among some attendees, but encouraged the use of privilege, drawing on his Jewish upbringing in New York as an example.
Duke University spokesperson Frank Tramble emphasized the institution’s commitment to peaceful expression of views, recognizing the diverse opinions within the community.
Seinfeld’s public support for Israel contrasts with ongoing casualties in Gaza, where Israeli military operations have resulted in over 35,000 Palestinian deaths, according to health officials.
The White House, in response to the protests, affirmed President Joe Biden‘s support for peaceful demonstrations at college commencement ceremonies.
The protests reflect broader student demands for university accountability, including divestment from companies profiting from the Gaza conflict and amnesty for disciplined protesters.
Similar protests have occurred at other universities across the United States, such as Emerson College in Boston, where chants interrupted the president’s remarks during the commencement ceremony. Some students were seen carrying signs in support of Palestinians, underscoring solidarity with the cause.
The protests have prompted universities like Columbia in New York and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles to modify or cancel their main graduation ceremonies. The ongoing activism underscores the deep divisions and passionate advocacy surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict on college campuses nationwide.
