(Rightallegiance.com) – In a striking display of political activism, several students at Duke University chose to exit the commencement ceremony as the renowned comedian Jerry Seinfeld, known for his Jewish heritage and strong support for Israel, was introduced to speak. This protest took place on a Sunday and was vividly captured in videos shared across social media platforms, where some students were seen vocalizing support for Palestine.
The demonstration began precisely as Seinfeld, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry and a declared supporter of Israel, took the podium. Some of the protesters were observed carrying Palestinian flags while making their exit from the stadium. This contrasted with other attendees who enthusiastically chanted “Jerry! Jerry!” supporting the comedian as he ascended the stage to receive an honorary degree.
Despite the walkout, Seinfeld proceeded with his speech, which was reportedly uninterrupted according to a report by Reuters. The “Seinfeld” show star initiated his address with a series of humorous remarks before imparting his “three real keys to life” to the graduates. These principles, as reported by WRAL-TV, emphasized the importance of hard work, attentiveness, and embracing love in various aspects of life.
Seinfeld articulated, “Whatever you’re doing, I don’t care if it’s your job, your hobby, a relationship, getting a reservation at M Sushi. Make an effort. Just pure, stupid, no-real-idea-what-I’m-doing-here effort. Effort always yields a positive value, even if the outcome of the effort is absolute failure of the desired result. This is a rule of life. Just swing the bat and pray is not a bad approach to a lot of things.”
Seinfeld’s unwavering support for Israel has been a consistent aspect of his public persona, particularly highlighted following the surprise attacks by Hamas on Israeli residential areas on October 7. In a show of solidarity, Seinfeld shared an “I Stand With Israel” post on his Instagram just two days after the attacks.
Moreover, in December, Seinfeld visited Israel along with his family. During his visit, he had what was described by the Israeli news outlet Haaretz as an “emotional” encounter with individuals who had been held hostage and were subsequently freed, as well as with representatives from families whose loved ones remain captive in Gaza. This trip underscored his deep connection and commitment to the state of Israel amidst ongoing regional tensions.