Jerry Seinfeld’s Duke University Commencement Speech Spurs Walkouts as Students Chant ‘Free Palestine’

Jerry Seinfeld received an honorary degree from Duke University’s commencement ceremony on Sunday, but before he could even begin his address Seinfeld was greeted by protests from students.

As reported by The New York Times the newspaper, students were ejected from the graduation ceremony and shouted “Free, free Palestine” to protest against Seinfeld who has been open about his support for Israel. The crowd also took to the protesters’ calls with cheers and applause for Seinfeld who started his address with “Thank for your support. Oh my god What a wonderful day.”

While Seinfeld did not mention the walkouts in any way He did hint at the prevailing culture of political correctness in his message to graduates. “I absolutely admire the goals of your generation to build an equitable and welcoming society. I also think it’s amazing that you care to not hurt others’ sentiments in the millions ways we do every moment of the each day.” Seinfeld said. “It’s great to have the desire to change those things however, the whole thing in all capsthe thing I must advise you as a comedian keep your sense of humour. It’s impossible to know that you’re at this point in your life just how much you’ll require to maintain it in order to make it through.”

According to the Times In front of the venue where ceremony was held students who left held an informal graduation ceremony. They were joined by a few family members and professors. “Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest,” they continued to sing.

Alongside posting about his support for Israel through social networks In December, Seinfeld went in Tel Aviv to meet with the families of hostages who were taken in Hamas the Oct. 7. attack. In the last month, Seinfeld’s wife Jessica Seinfeld, promoted on Instagram the UCLA protest against the pro-Palestinian protests that are currently taking place in campuses across the nation.

The representatives of Seinfeld have not yet responded to Variety‘s request for comment.