Jerry Seinfeld and the Genocidal Punchline

    While performing on October 9^th at the Chicago Theater, stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld was interrupted by a number of pro-Palestinian protesters who accused him of supporting Israel’s genocide in Palestine. Seinfeld has been a vocal supporter of the state of Israel and has repeatedly denied the existence of Palestine and has said that he doesn’t care about Palestinians.

    Responding to the protesters, Seinfeld said, “It’s a genocide. I’m into it.”

    Perhaps we can give him the benefit of the doubt and suggest that he was rattled by the interruption. But a professional stand-up comedian who can’t deal with hecklers? Well…

    Even if you don’t accept the label of genocide for what Israel is doing in Palestine – though genocide scholars around the world have said that that is just what it is – his comment, as a Jew, is a particularly strange response. Forget “Never Again,” he’s here for it.

    Perhaps one might argue that the protesters were rude to interrupt the show. But I think people who use genocide as a punchline should be interrupted.

    Free Palestine.