Comedian Jerry Seinfeld turned a protest at his Chicago performance into part of the act, dancing across the stage and joking about being a “racist” as security removed demonstrators from the Chicago Theatre.
Video of the Oct. 9 show captured activists shouting at the 72-year-old comedian, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and calling him a “genocide apologist” over his support for the country. One woman yelled that American tax dollars were killing Palestinian children while he made jokes. Israel has denied accusations of genocide in the war.
“I’m racist, it’s a genocide, I’m into it,” Mr. Seinfeld answered, mock-dancing as security led her out. Earlier, he told another heckler he would find out the man’s ticket price and send the money to Israel, then added that he was keeping it. An audience member called for security to rough up one of the protesters.
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The Anti-War Committee Chicago and the Chicago branch of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network took credit for the disruption on Instagram, Fox News Digital reported.
The incident is the latest in a series of confrontations tied to Seinfeld’s outspoken support for Israel since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack. In May 2024, about 30 students walked out of Duke University’s commencement as he received an honorary degree. Last September, also at Duke, he compared the “Free Palestine” slogan to the Ku Klux Klan, saying the Klan was “a little better” because it was openly honest about its hatred.
Last month, at least six Portuguese acts withdrew from the MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest in Lisbon, which Mr. Seinfeld is scheduled to headline Nov. 1. None named him. One actress said a name on the bill defends ideas she finds indefensible, and a comedy duo posted an image of a watermelon, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. Organizers had kept Seinfeld on the lineup as of early September.
Comedian and media analyst Tim Young, who has called Mr. Seinfeld “uncancellable”, told Fox News Digital that people attend Mr. Seinfeld’s shows as if “going to a Trump rally to protest.”
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