Fri Sep 12 04:30:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Jerry Seinfeld made a surprise appearance at a Duke University event featuring former Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov. During his introduction, Seinfeld denounced the “Free Palestine” movement as antisemitic, suggesting it’s a veiled way of expressing dislike for Jewish people. He controversially stated the Ku Klux Klan is “more honest” due to their explicit bigotry. Duke University clarified that the event was student-led and that Seinfeld’s presence was not announced beforehand at his request. University spokespersons also stated that they do not endorse comments from guest speakers.
**News Article:**
**Seinfeld Denounces “Free Palestine” Movement as Antisemitic at Duke Event**
DURHAM, N.C. – Actor and comedian Jerry Seinfeld sparked controversy Tuesday night with comments denouncing the “Free Palestine” movement as antisemitic during a surprise appearance at Duke University. Seinfeld’s remarks came during an introduction for Omer Shem Tov, a former Israeli hostage held by Hamas, at an event primarily sponsored by Chabad at Duke, and co-sponsored by several other University organizations and initiatives.
“Free Palestine is, to me, just — you’re free to say you don’t like Jews. Just say you don’t like Jews,” Seinfeld stated to the audience of Duke students, faculty and staff. He went on to compare the movement to the Ku Klux Klan, adding controversially, “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 event centered around Shem Tov’s experience being held hostage by Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attack on the Nova music festival.
Duke University emphasized that the event was organized by student groups and that Seinfeld’s appearance was unannounced at his request. “Tuesday’s talk was a Chabad at Duke student-led event that invited Omer Shem Tov to share the story of his spiritual journey during 505 days in captivity. Jerry Seinfeld introduced the speaker and requested his appearance not be announced beforehand, given Omer Shem Tov’s experiences were the focus of the event,” said a University spokesperson in a statement to The Chronicle. “Duke does not preview the remarks of speakers who are invited to campus, and the invitation of speakers to campus does not imply any endorsement of their remarks.”
Seinfeld has been a vocal supporter of Israel and a critic of antisemitism, and previously faced criticism for delivering the commencement address at Duke in May 2024, which led to a student walkout.
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