Jerry Seinfeld clashes with pro-Palestine heckler during stand-up gig
Jerry Seinfeld was seen responding to a pro-Palestine heckler at his latest comedy show on June 17.
The comedian was appearing at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, when his show was interrupted by an attendee who was giving a message in defense of Palestine.
A video shared by the Australian Jewish Association shows the heckler shouting (via Variety): “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
As the heckler was being removed from the building, the Seinfeld creator used sarcasm to criticise him, saying to the audience: “We have a genius, ladies and gentlemen. He solved the Middle East!”
Seinfeld, whose remarks were met with cheers from the audience, continued: “It’s the Jewish comedians, that’s who we have to get! They’re the ones doing everything.”
Jerry Seinfeld demolishes anti-Jewish heckler. – Sydney, Australia
Crowd cheers as security boots the activist.
Taken by AJA CEO Robert Gregory pic.twitter.com/9rUhfHu7tG
— Australian Jewish Association (@AustralianJA) June 16, 2024
The man continued shouting “Palestine will be free,” as he was being from the audience, to which Seinfeld responded: “Go ahead, keep going! They’re going to start punching you in about three seconds so I would try to get all of your genius out so we can all learn from you.”
“It’s a comedy show, you moron!” he added. “Get out of here.”
Seinfeld, who has been vocal in his support for Israel, having travelled there in December amid the ongoing conflict, continued to roast the heckler.
“You’re really influencing everyone here,” he continued. “We’re all on your side now, because you’ve made your point so well, and in the right venue, you’ve come to the right place for a political conversation.”
It’s not the first time the comedian has been heckled by pro-Palestine protesters. Back in May, his show at the Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, Virginia, was disrupted by an audience member who shouted: “Save the children of Gaza” and accused Seinfeld of being a “genocide supporter”.
Just days before, Seinfeld was also critcised during a university commencement speech in North Carolina. While the comedian was receiving his honorary degree from Duke University, protesters carrying Palestinian flags walked out of the ceremony.
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Alex Berry
NME