Comedian Jerry Seinfeld mocked anti-Israel protesters after they attempted to interrupt his performance at Chicago’s historic Chicago Theatre last Friday, turning the disruption into part of the show as security escorted them from the venue.
Videos of the confrontation that circulated online show activists shouting at Seinfeld and accusing Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza. They also alleged that American taxpayer money was being used to fund the deaths of thousands of civilians.
“Twenty-two thousand Palestinians who are children now are killed with our taxpayer money, and you’re making jokes!” one woman shouted in footage posted online.
Seinfeld responded by dancing across the stage and sarcastically referring to himself as “racist,” adding, “It’s a genocide. I’m into it.” He also joked that he would determine how much the protesters had paid for their tickets and forward the money to Israel.
As security guards led the demonstrators out of the auditorium, one audience member shouted, “Rough her up!”
The Anti-War Committee Chicago and the Chicago branch of the US Palestinian Community Network claimed responsibility for organizing the disruption. In an Instagram post, the groups wrote, “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 team for comment but did not receive a response.
The incident is the latest in a series of protests aimed at the 72-year-old Jewish comedian, who has been outspoken in his support for Israel.
Comedian and media analyst Tim Young told Fox News Digital that protesters may be spending large sums on tickets to disrupt comedy shows, attract viral attention and create a direct political confrontation.
“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 performances to protests at political rallies, suggesting that some activists are willing to pay premium ticket prices for the chance to confront the comedian.
“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 with 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 address at Duke University. Some of the demonstrators 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 by 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 continued. “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 after several European acts pulled out of the inaugural MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest in Lisbon, Portugal, where he is scheduled to headline 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.”
