Jerry Seinfeld compared the “Free Palestine” movement to the Ku Klux Klan in a speech on Wednesday, likening the former’s rhetoric to the KKK based on its antisemitism.
Seinfeld made the statement, which The Hollywood Reporter described as “inflammatory,” during a surprise appearance at an event at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.
“Free Palestine is, to me, just, you’re free to say you don’t like Jews. Just say you don’t like Jews,” the university’s student newspaper, The Duke Chronicle, quoted him as saying.
“By saying Free Palestine, you’re not admitting what you really think,” he continued. “So, it’s actually, compared to the Ku Klux Klan, I’m actually thinking the Klan is actually a little better here because they can come right out and say, ‘We don’t like blacks; we don’t like Jews.’ Okay, that’s honest.”
The student newspaper cited an email sent by the university spokesperson that Duke doesn’t preview the remarks of speakers and that the institution doesn’t endorse the remarks of those invited to speak. The spokesperson added that the university’s Chabad organized Seinfeld’s arrival at the event, alongside other student groups and the university.
The president of the student Chabad group, Mason Herman, told NBC News that “the event was highlighting the fact that there are more than 40 hostages still in Gaza. To one, raise awareness of that fact, and two, to share their plight while in captivity. And to share Omer’s story.”
Seinfeld at university to introduce Shem Tov and his spiritual journey
The famed comedian made the speech before introducing former hostage Omer Shem Tov, who was held in Gaza for 505 days. The event was only open to students and faculty of Duke, and Shem Tov was invited to share his spiritual journey while in Hamas captivity, according to the spokesperson. Seinfeld also asked that his appearance not be announced beforehand.
Seinfeld had already given a speech at Duke last year while receiving an honorary degree, where dozens of students walked out due to the comedian’s support of Israel, with some chanting “Free Palestine.”
Reuters contributed to this report.