Jewish comedian says ‘Free Palestine’ movement worse than the KKK

Actor and comedian Jerry Seinfeld has accused the “Free Palestine” movement of hiding antisemitism, arguing it is “actually a little better” to be as blunt as the Ku Klux Klan.

Speaking without prior notice at a Chabad-organised event at Duke University on Wednesday evening, Seinfeld told students: “Free Palestine is, to me, just… you’re free to say you don’t like Jews. Just say you don’t like Jews.’ Okay, that’s honest.”

The event centred on Omer Shem Tov, who spent 505 days in Hamas captivity before being freed in February. Seinfeld, a surprise guest, delivered introductory remarks before Shem Tov shared his story.

A Duke spokesperson later explained the comedian’s appearance had been deliberately unpublicised: “Mr Seinfeld requested his appearance not be announced beforehand, given Omer Shem Tov’s experiences were the focus of the event. 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 outspoken about rising antisemitism since Hamas’s 7 October 2023 atrocities. Weeks after the massacre, he travelled with his wife to Israel to meet hostage families and has since been heckled repeatedly by pro-Palestinian activists.

In February this year, when approached by an influencer shouting, “Free Palestine” while asking for a selfie, he retorted: “I don’t care about Palestine.”

His latest remarks at Duke continue that uncompromising defence of Israel and denunciation of antisemitism – while drawing fresh controversy.