Jerry Seinfeld has taunted protesters who interrupted his comedy show in Chicago and accused him of being a “genocide apologist” over his support for Israel.
The Jewish comedian was stopped several times during Friday’s performance by hecklers who highlighted the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza and criticised Israel’s military action in the region.
After one protester labelled him a “genocide apologist”, Seinfeld responded sarcastically: “I’m racist. It’s a genocide. I’m into it.”
Footage shared online appeared to show protesters dispersed among the audience, as some Seinfeld fans became increasingly frustrated by the interruptions.
One audience member shouted: “Shut up, b****.”
During another exchange, Seinfeld told a heckler being removed by security: “I’m gonna find out how much your ticket was and I’m sending it to Israel.”
As the crowd cheered, he added: “No I won’t. I’m keeping it.”
Jerry Seinfeld has faced similar protests in Australia
The comedian has previously been confronted by pro-Palestinian protesters during performances in Australia.
During a 2024 show in Sydney, he was called a “hack” and a “fraud” by protesters. As the crowd booed the disruption, Seinfeld said: “You’re doing great. You’re getting them on your side, can you hear it? It’s working.”
His performance at the Afterpay Arena was also interrupted by an audience member protesting against Israel.
“We have a genius ladies and gentlemen, he solved the Middle East,” Seinfeld said.
He continued: “You’re really influencing everyone here. 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.”
“You have to go 20,000 miles from the problem and screw up a comedian, that is how you solve world issues.”
Asked at the time about pausing his performance to respond to protesters, Seinfeld was told that a comedy show was not the place to solve the world’s problems.
“What do you think?” he replied.
Seinfeld has shown support for Israel since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. He made a solidarity visit to Israel later that year and met families of hostages taken by Hamas.
Last year, he compared the Free Palestine movement with the Ku Klux Klan during a student event at Duke University in the United States.
“Just say you don’t like Jews,” he reportedly said. “By saying ‘Free Palestine,’ you’re not admitting what you really think.”
In June, when a streamer asked him to chant “Free Palestine” as he left an NBA finals game, Seinfeld chuckled and said: “It doesn’t exist.”
