Comedian Jerry Seinfeld mocked anti-Israel protesters after they interrupted his performance at the Chicago Theatre last Friday, turning the disruption into part of the show as security escorted them from the venue.
Viral footage of the incident shows activists shouting at Seinfeld and accusing Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza. They also claimed American taxpayer money was being used to fund the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians.
“Twenty-two thousand Palestinians who are children now are killed with our taxpayer money, and you’re making jokes!” one woman shouted, according to clips shared online.
Seinfeld responded by dancing onstage and ridiculing the protesters with sarcastic comments. Calling himself “racist,” he said, “It’s a genocide. I’m into it.” He also joked that he would determine how much the demonstrators had paid for their tickets and send the money to Israel.
As venue security led the protesters out of the auditorium, an audience member could be heard shouting, “Rough her up!”
The Anti-War Committee Chicago and the Chicago chapter of the US Palestinian Community Network claimed responsibility for the disruption. In a post on Instagram, the groups said, “Friday’s disruption sent a clear message: Those who defend Israel’s genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza and throughout Palestine will be met with protest and are not welcome on Chicago’s stages without opposition.”
Fox News Digital contacted Seinfeld’s representatives for comment but had not received a response.
The Chicago incident is the latest in a series of protests aimed at the 72-year-old Jewish comedian, who has openly defended Israel.
Comedian and media analyst Tim Young told Fox News Digital that some protesters may be spending substantial amounts on tickets to disrupt comedy performances and generate viral footage rather than engage in traditional political debate.
“They know that once they start yelling, everyone will whip their cameras out, and it is a very direct interaction and maybe one of the only direct interactions protesters get to have with celebrities and with the internet,” Young said.
“If you are in a very intimate environment where everyone is quiet, listening to one person, you will be heard. And, so, that’s what they’re taking advantage of here.”
Young likened the interruptions at Seinfeld’s shows to demonstrations at political rallies, saying some activists appear willing to pay high ticket prices for the chance to confront the comedian directly.
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“It seems like people are going to Jerry Seinfeld’s shows like they’re going to a Trump rally to protest,” Young said. “They wanted to get Jerry’s attention. They want to, for some reason, they’re very, very adamant on getting him to react to the Israel-Palestine conflict.”
Young also connected the disruptions to Seinfeld’s previous criticism of performing on college campuses.
“It’s why Jerry doesn’t like to go and perform at college campuses. And he said he hates performing at college campuses specifically for that reason,” Young said.
“He doesn’t want to get into the political thing. He doesn’t want to have protesters yelling back and forth with him. It’s a waste of the rest of the audience’s time, and he knows that.”
In May 2024, dozens of students walked out during Seinfeld’s commencement speech at Duke University. Some of the students carried Palestinian flags.
Seinfeld returned to Duke in September 2025 to introduce freed Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov at a campus event. During the appearance, he addressed anti-Israel protests, saying, “Free Palestine is, to me, just — you’re free to say you don’t like Jews. Just say you don’t like Jews.”
“By saying ‘Free Palestine,’ you’re not admitting what you really think,” he said. “So, it’s actually — compared to the Ku Klux Klan, I’m actually thinking the Klan is actually a little better here because they can come right out and say, ‘We don’t like Blacks, we don’t like Jews.’ OK, that’s honest.”
Seinfeld also encountered controversy overseas last month, when several European performers withdrew from the inaugural MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest in Lisbon, Portugal. The comedian is scheduled to headline the festival later this year.
The acts did not name Seinfeld directly in their withdrawal statements, but some cited concerns about the Israel-Gaza conflict. One performer said someone involved in the festival defended ideas they considered indefensible.
Young, who previously dismissed efforts to cancel Seinfeld over his support for Israel, argued that protesters target the billionaire comedian because of his influence and celebrity status.
“This is all about control. It’s all about power. And it’s all about the left having power over these very influential and powerful people,” Young said. “And they’re not having it.”