Jerry Seinfeld : “Pro-Palestinian Campus Protests Decline, US Graduations Marred by Defiance”

A small group of Duke University graduates expressed their opposition to pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina on Sunday. Approximately 30 out of the 7,000 students in attendance stood up and began chanting “free Palestine,” causing a mix of reactions including boos and cheers.

Some of the protesters waved the Palestinian flag in red, green, black, and white colours. Seinfeld, known for his iconic sitcom and his recent role in the Netflix movie “Unfrosted,” was at the university to receive an honorary doctorate.

The comedian has been a vocal supporter of Israel, particularly since the country’s invasion of Gaza in response to attacks by Hamas, resulting in casualties in both Israel and Gaza. The conflict has led to significant loss of life, with the majority of the victims in Gaza being women and children.

Campus Protests Across the U.S.

The demonstration at Duke’s graduation is part of a larger trend of campus events across the United States. In recent weeks, student protests have erupted at numerous colleges and universities, leading to nearly 2,900 arrests at 57 institutions.

Students at various campuses have set up encampments and called for divestment from Israel and companies supporting the country. The protests have attracted outside agitators and have been witnessed from Columbia University in New York City to UCLA.

Protests at Other Universities

At Pomona College in Southern California, pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to block access to the commencement ceremony, prompting the event to be relocated to the Shrine Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles. The college implemented additional security measures, and police intervention was required to manage the situation.

Similarly, at the University of California, Berkeley, a small group of demonstrators disrupted the commencement ceremony with flags and chants, leading to their removal to the back of the stadium. While there were no major counterprotests, some attendees expressed frustration at the disruption.

Peaceful Demonstrations and Symbolic Gestures

Despite the protests, the commencement events over the weekend remained largely peaceful. At Emerson College in Boston, some students made symbolic gestures of solidarity with Palestine by incorporating messages on their graduation attire.

Protests at Columbia University influenced the cancellation of the main graduation ceremony in favour of smaller gatherings. The University of Southern California faced security concerns over a valedictorian’s speech supporting Palestinians, leading to the cancellation of their main ceremony.

Future of Pro-Palestinian Protests

At DePaul University in Chicago, the future of pro-Palestinian protesters’ encampment remains uncertain as school officials and student demonstrators have reached an impasse. The DePaul Divestment Coalition continues to call for divestment from economic interests tied to Israel.

Overall, the protests highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the growing activism on college campuses in the United States.