Jerry Seinfeld to speak at Duke graduation after weeks of pro-Palestinian protests
Comedian and actor Jerry Seinfeld on Sunday will deliver a commencement address at Duke University's public graduation ceremony following weeks of protests.
The announcement was made in March in a video shown during the Battle of the Blues game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. According to Duke University, students requested a speaker who would make them laugh and deliver a funny speech.
The Jewish comedian will speak after weeks of nationwide pro-Palestinian protests, including in the Triangle at Duke, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In October, Seinfeld posted on Instagram, "I will always stand with Israel and the Jewish people" and wrote, "I lived and worked on a Kibbutz in Israel when I was 16 and I have loved our Jewish homeland ever since. My heart is breaking from these attacks and atrocities. But we are also a very strong people in our hearts and minds. We believe in justice, freedom and equality. We survive and flourish no matter what."
The New York Times reports Seinfeld traveled to Tel Aviv in December to meet with hostages’ families and has been unusually outspoken about his personal beliefs since.
Seinfeld has ties to Durham. Seinfeld and his wife, Jessica, are the parents of a Duke alumna and a current Duke student. They also serve as national chairs of Duke’s Parents Committee.
Duke's commencement ceremony is set for 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham. The ceremony is expected to finish by 11 a.m.
In the wake of recent pro-Palestinian protests, UNC recently announced new security measures for Saturday's commencement ceremonies, including a clear bag policy sand requiring graduates to show their ID card.
WRAL News reached out to Duke University about possible changes they could making to the graduation ceremony but has not heard back.
