Comedian Jerry Seinfeld faced boos from students at Duke University during his commencement speech as part of a wave of anti-war protests at college graduations around the country. Seinfeld, who was receiving an honorary degree from the school, was met with protests, with some students walking out of the stadium with Palestinian flags. The reason for the booing, whether towards Seinfeld or the student protest, remains unclear, but the comedian was able to continue with his speech.
The protests at Duke University are part of a larger movement that began with students at Columbia University setting up an encampment on campus as a demonstration against the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The protests called for universities to divest from companies profiting from war or the occupation of Palestinian territories, and to cut ties with Israel, pushing for an immediate cease-fire. This movement has spread to various universities across the U.S. and internationally, leading to arrests and crackdowns on some campuses.
The anti-war demonstrations continued at graduations across the country over the weekend. At Virginia Commonwealth University, students walked out of the commencement address delivered by Governor Glenn Youngkin in protest of his policies and his involvement in the arrests of pro-Palestinian student protesters. Similar protests erupted at University of California, Berkeley ceremonies, where students displayed messages supporting divestment from Israel and waving Palestinian flags while chanting “Free Palestine.”
Concern for civilian life in Gaza has intensified amid Israeli operations in the Palestinian-controlled area of Rafah, resulting in airstrikes and casualties. Cease-fire negotiations took place following Hamas’ agreement to a framework for a hostage exchange, but Israeli officials deemed the proposal unacceptable. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the assault on Rafah as necessary to eliminate Hamas, as the militant group’s alleged final stronghold in the enclave.
The conflict in Gaza has sparked renewed debates and demonstrations against the Israeli occupation and the ongoing violence. Student protests at universities are part of a broader movement seeking justice and peace in the region through divestment and actions against companies profiting from war. The demonstrations have drawn national and international attention, leading to arrests and clashes with authorities on some campuses, as well as solidarity protests around the world in support of Palestinian rights and against Israeli aggression.
As the situation in the Middle East continues to escalate, with Israeli forces taking control of key areas and Hamas resisting, the calls for peace and an end to the violence have grown louder. The unrest at college graduations across the U.S. reflects a deepening concern among students and activists about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has seen a significant loss of life and displacement of civilians. The protests highlight a growing movement for justice, solidarity, and peace in the region, advocating for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that respects the rights and dignity of all people involved.
