Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
A recent trip to Israel had a powerful impact on comedian and actor Jerry Seinfeld. He became emotional during an interview with podcaster Bari Weiss. “Honestly, it was the most powerful experience of my life,” he said.
Seinfeld has faced intense scrutiny from the left as he has been outspoken in his support of Israel since the country was attacked by terrorists last October. Two days after the assault by Hamas, he wrote “I stand with Israel” in a post on Instagram. In the caption of the photo, he noted that he had lived and worked in a kibbutz when he was 16 years old and has “loved our Jewish homeland ever since.”
“My heart is breaking from these attacks and atrocities,” he wrote. “But we are also a very strong people in our hearts and minds.”
The comedian, an icon of American humor for 30 years, could not contain his emotions during the Free Press interview about the trip. [below]
Seinfeld traveled to Israel as a sign of his support for the Israeli people because “he feels a deep commitment to raising awareness around the world about the issue of the hostages,” referring to the Israeli captives held by Hamas. During his trip to the Jewish state, Seinfeld visited with the families of hostages. According to local media reports, the meeting lasted two hours longer than expected, and the group that organized the gathering, the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum, described the actor as both “caring” and “sensitive” to those whose loved ones remain in Hamas’ captivity.
Seinfeld also discussed the pro-Hamas protests on college campuses, including attacks on him when he gave a commencement speech at Duke University. He was heckled by angry protesters who shouted “free Palestine” before walking out of the ceremony. Seinfeld, who received an honorary degree from Duke, did not address the student walkouts during his commencement speech, nor did he comment on the Israel-Hamas war.
In Israel’s Channel 13 video shared to social media, he is visible wearing a dog tag that displays the phrase “Bring Them Home” — something Hareetz reports is a popular solitary symbol for hostages and their families.
Seinfeld is the most recent Hollywood star to visit Israel. Director Quentin Tarantino and comedian and actor Michael Rapaport visited in recent weeks. Music producer Scooter Braun is also in the country, according to updates on his Instagram Story.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
