Comedian Jerry Seinfeld faced down a group of anti-Israel hecklers during his performance in Melbourne, Australia, turning the interruption into a comedic lesson on planning and perspective.
As Seinfeld neared the end of his set, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the show with the chant, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” This slogan is often seen as a call for the destruction of Israel. Unfazed, Seinfeld responded with his signature wit, pointing out the irony of their protest.
“Oh, you’re back! They’re back! The protesters are back! I missed you!” Seinfeld quipped, as the audience voiced their disapproval of the hecklers. He continued, “Oh, you’re not doing well. It’s so hard for you.” Seinfeld then addressed the protesters directly, drawing a parallel between their efforts and his own profession. “Listen, you and I are in the same business. Our business is to get people to see things the way we see it. The problem is, you’re in the wrong place!”
The comedian emphasized the effectiveness of performing in the right venue, likening their interruption to him trying to perform at a rugby game. “I would get that same reaction. I would get kicked out on my ass because that’s not where I belong,” he explained.
Seinfeld then delivered a pointed remark about their protest’s financial impact. “I think you need to go back and tell whoever’s running your organization: ‘We just gave more money to a Jew.’ That cannot be a good plan for you. That’s not what you want … you gotta come up with a better plan.”
The police escorted the protesters out of Rod Laver Arena, allowing Seinfeld to continue his show. The encounter mirrored a similar incident in Sydney the previous week, where Seinfeld humorously dismantled another protester with the same chant. His response there was equally sharp, mocking the notion that Jewish comedians were at the heart of the Middle East conflict.
Jerry Seinfeld’s handling of these protests not only showcased his quick wit but also highlighted the ineffectiveness of interrupting a well-received comedy performance to make a political statement.
