Overview

• Seinfeld told attendees the phrase “Free Palestine” masks antisemitism and said the Ku Klux Klan is “actually a little better” because its hate is explicit, according to the Duke Chronicle.
• He appeared without prior notice to introduce Omer Shem Tov, who was abducted at the Oct. 7 Nova music festival and held for 505 days, at a Chabad at Duke–sponsored event.
• The university said it does not preview outside speakers’ remarks and that invitations do not imply endorsement of their views.
• Students criticized the comparison, with a Jewish student calling it inappropriate and a Palestinian American student saying the comments made her feel unsafe and urging Duke to condemn them.
• Seinfeld’s representatives did not immediately comment, and the comedian has previously voiced strong support for Israel and faced protests at campus and comedy appearances.