Curious to know what Jerry Seinfeld said about Palestine ahead of SNL 50? The comedian’s brief remark during an encounter with an activist has sparked reactions across social media. As a vocal supporter of Israel, Seinfeld’s response has reignited debates about his stance on the ongoing conflict.
Let’s take a closer look at what happened, the context behind his statement, and the reactions it has generated.
Here’s what Jerry Seinfeld said about Palestine
Jerry Seinfeld was approached by an activist outside Radio City Music Hall during the 50th anniversary event of Saturday Night Live. The activist requested a selfie, which Seinfeld agreed to.
During the photo, Subway DJ said “Free Palestine” and held up a peace sign. He then asked, “Maybe?” prompting Seinfeld to respond, “I don’t care about Palestine,” before walking away with his wife, Jessica, as can be seen in the video uploaded by Subway DJ.
Seinfeld has been an outspoken supporter of Israel, particularly following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. In December 2023, he visited Kibbutz Be’eri in Israel, where he met with families of those kidnapped by Hamas and toured the area. He expressed shock at the devastation and stated that he was proud to support Israel (via The Jerusalem Post).
This is not the first time Seinfeld has faced criticism from pro-Palestinian activists. In June 2024, a heckler disrupted Seinfeld’s comedy show in Sydney, Australia, to which he responded sarcastically, “We have a genius, ladies and gentlemen. He solved the Middle East.” In February 2024, he was met with pro-Palestine protesters chanting “Genocide supporter! You support genocide!” while leaving an event with founder of The Free Press, Bari Weiss.
Seinfeld’s comments have led to backlash, with some accusing him of dismissing Palestinian suffering. Social media responses also defended Seinfeld, arguing that he was reacting to an ambush attempt. Some pointed to his history of vocal support for Israel, including his public endorsement of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) at a baseball game in October 2024 (via The National).
