![\"Jerry](\"https:\/\/cdn-main.newsner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/11\/25130032\/Jezza-664x350.jpg\")
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Any seasoned comedian knows how tough a hostile crowd can be\u2014but few face what Jerry Seinfeld did at Duke University in May.<\/p>\n
There to receive an honorary degree, Seinfeld encountered backlash over his vocal support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict. His presence prompted dozens of students to walk out, chanting \u201cFree, free Palestine.\u201d Others jeered as they exited, while Seinfeld waited before joking, \u201cThank you. Oh my God, what a beautiful day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Known for his hit show Seinfeld<\/em>, the 70-year-old kept his commencement speech light, avoiding confrontation and instead delivering humor-laced life advice. \u201cA lot of you are thinking, \u2018I can\u2019t believe they invited this guy.\u2019 Too late,\u201d he quipped, also defending the concept of privilege: \u201cUse your privilege. I grew up a Jewish boy from New York. That is a privilege if you want to be a comedian.\u201d<\/p>\n Seinfeld has remained outspoken in support of Israel since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2024.<\/p>\n Duke\u2019s VP of communications, Frank Tramble, later said the university respects peaceful protest and the rights of all attendees to celebrate their achievements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Any seasoned comedian knows how tough a hostile crowd can be\u2014but few face what Jerry Seinfeld did at Duke University in May. There to receive an honorary degree, Seinfeld encountered backlash over his vocal support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict. His presence prompted dozens of students to walk out, chanting \u201cFree, free Palestine.\u201d Others…<\/p>\n