'Just antisemitism': Internet divided as Jerry Seinfeld heckled by anti-Israel protester at Virginia show

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA: Renowned comedian Jerry Seinfeld found himself in the midst of controversy once again as his recent stand-up performance in Virginia was disrupted by an anti-Israel protester on Saturday, May 18 night.

The incident occurred during his routine at Chrysler Hall, where Seinfeld was met with unexpected interruptions from the protester advocating for Palestine.

Protester interrupts Jerry Seinfeld

According to the Fox News, as Seinfeld delved into his comedic repertoire, a protester rose from the audience, hurling accusations at the comedian and branding him a "genocide supporter."

"Save the children of Gaza! No more American tax dollars for genocide!" the protester yelled.

"You should be ashamed of yourself! You should all be ashamed of yourselves!" the protester kept shouting to the audience.

Seinfeld was overheard remarking, "This is fun. I like this. I think your message is really resonating with the crowd. People seem to be on your side."

"How dare you support a genocide!" the protester responded.

Jerry Seinfeld's response: wit and sarcasm amidst protest disruption

Unfazed by the interruption, Seinfeld responded with his trademark wit, acknowledging the protester's presence with a touch of humor. "I like it when the Jew-haters spice up the show," he quipped, eliciting mixed reactions from the audience.

"This is fun. I like this. I think your message is really resonating with the crowd. People seem to be on your side," Seinfeld remarked, amplifying the tension with a hint of sarcasm.

The situation escalated further as an audience member engaged in a physical altercation with the protester, prompting security to intervene and escort the disrupter out of the premises.

Amidst chants of "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!" from supportive audience members, the comedian maintained his composure, advocating for the right to protest while urging his audience not to boo.

This isn't the first instance of Seinfeld encountering opposition due to his vocal support for Israel. Earlier this month, during his commencement speech at Duke University, a similar demonstration unfolded as students protested his stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Upholding support for Israel despite criticism

In response to the disruption at Chrysler Hall, the show's producer, SevenVenues, expressed disappointment over the incident, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring a disruption-free environment for patrons.

"We are deeply disappointed that a group of protestors disrupted tonight’s sold-out Jerry Seinfeld performance at Chrysler Hall. SevenVenues stands by its policy to remove hecklers and those who disrupt a performance, and will continue to protect the freedom of its patrons to enjoy an artist of their choosing without disruption," they said.

Despite facing backlash, Seinfeld remains steadfast in his allegiance to Israel, citing personal experiences and a deep-rooted connection to the country.

Two days following the October 7 attack by Hamas, he penned an "I Stand With Israel" message on his Instagram profile. "I lived and worked on a Kibbutz in Israel when I was 16 and I have loved our Jewish homeland ever since," he wrote in a caption. "My heart is breaking from these attacks and atrocities. But we are also a very strong people in our hearts and minds."

Reactions on social media reflect diverse views on Seinfeld's stand-up show

The incident involving Jerry Seinfeld's stand-up show has sparked a flurry of reactions across social media platforms. From humorous observations to expressions of support and condemnation, netizens have voiced a spectrum of opinions on the disruption and Seinfeld's response

One user wrote, "What’s the deal with all these genociders? They all look like their guys that wanna kill us, but they’re on our team! Isn’t that weird??"

Another wrote, "Good for Jerry. These morons need to be stopped."

One user replied, "Seinfeld has the best name to chant during something like this. “Jerry! Jerry!”

Another user replied, "Jerry has nothing to do with the Israeli government. This is just antisemitism."

One said, "Heckling and hecklers, disgust me."

Another wrote, "Hamas was not expecting Israel’s response, and will be lucky if they get any of their land back in Gaza."

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