"So it’s actually – 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.’ OK, that’s honest.”
The Chabad-sponsored event was a talk from Omer Shem Tov, a former hostage held by Hamas for 505 days before being freed in February. Seinfeld was not announced for the event, but gave a speech introducing Shem Tov.
A university spokesperson later confirmed that 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,” added the college.
Seinfeld has long been outspoken on the rise of antisemitism since October 7, taking a strong pro-Israel stance which has attracted some controversy.
In December 2023 he travelled to Israel with his wife to meet with families of the hostages – and has been heckled many times since, both while performing and on the street.
In February this year, he told a pro-Palestine social media influencer “I don’t care about Palestine”, after he said “Free Palestine” after asking for a selfie.
