Outcry at Duke: Jerry Seinfeld’s Graduation Speech Sparks Controversy
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A Duke University graduate said she wasn’t surprised to see a small group of anti-Israel agitators abandon Jerry Seinfeld’s commencement speech, telling “Fox & Friends” that the Jewish comedian received overwhelming support. “Given Jerry’s very apparent Zionism and his open Judaism, I can’t say I’m surprised given these protests,” Alanna Peykar told Lawrence Jones on Monday. “It’s very obvious that they oppose his point of view, but these students were definitely on board. They completely violated Duke rules.”
“They made it very clear to the students that they are not allowed to bring any signs, flags, and these students were in complete violation of Duke University rules.” Dozens of Duke University students walked out of legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s commencement address on Sunday, with some chanting “Free Palestine,” according to videos of the ceremony posted on social media.
The student protesters staged the walkout just as Seinfeld, who is Jewish and an outspoken supporter of Israel, was shown, according to the videos.
Some students carried Palestinian flags as they left the stadium. Other graduates and guests shouted “Jerry! Jerry!” when the comedian took the stage to receive an honorary degree. Overall, though, Peykar said the student body largely supported Seinfeld’s presence, despite misleading media coverage.
“[What] you’re not seeing in the media is that after these students left, and by the way, there are only 40 students… the whole stadium started booing them and eventually started chanting Jerry’s name, clearly in support of him being our commencement speaker,” Peykar said.
Peykar praised Duke for being a safe environment for Jewish students, saying she is very open about her Jewish faith and does not feel discriminated against on campus, despite widespread anti-Semitism on college campuses across the country.
“In fact, I am very grateful to say that Duke University, unlike other universities, has been a much safer environment for Jewish students,” Peykar said. “I’m openly Jewish, openly Zionist, and I can walk proudly around campus. I wear my Jewish star necklace and…if there’s anyone to target, I feel like I would be one of the first students.” “I can happily say that Duke did everything in its power to ensure the safety of students,” she continued. “Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for universities across America.”
Seinfeld has voiced his support for Israel several times since Hamas terrorists launched surprise attacks on residential areas in Israel on October 7. Seinfeld posted an “I stand with Israel” image on his Instagram account two days after the Hamas attacks.
The comedian also visited Israel with his family and reportedly had an “emotional” meeting with freed hostages and representatives of families whose loved ones are still held captive in Gaza, Israeli media outlet Haaretz reported in December. Jones asked Peykar how Duke has managed to facilitate a safe campus environment for students of all faiths — including Jews, at a time when anti-Israeli hatred is on the rise.
“Duke has its rules, and they enforce them, and they enforce them for every group on campus,” she responded. “It doesn’t adjust based on certain political beliefs, personal beliefs [or] identities. Additionally, I really believe that Duke has done an incredible job of building a campus community, and what I’m seeing at other colleges and universities is that these students have no place on campus.”
“They don’t feel like they have meaning, they don’t feel like they have a purpose, and Duke has really created a community where students feel a sense of accomplishment and don’t feel the need to resort to this violence,” she continued.
