NEWS

Jerry Seinfeld Calls Visit to Israel after October 7 ‘The Most Powerful Experience of My Life’

May 29, 2024

by: I24news via Ynetnews

Seinfeld met with members of Kibbutz Be’eri in December 2023.

Wednesday, 29 May 2024 | During an interview on “Honestly with Bari Weiss” from the Free Press, Seinfeld reflected on the deeply moving experience and addressed recent anti-Israel protests in the United States that have targeted him.

Earlier this month, Seinfeld’s stand-up performance in Virginia was interrupted by a protester accusing him of being a “genocide supporter.”

Additionally, he faced protesters during his Duke University commencement speech in May, where some students shouted “Free Palestine” and others walked out as he was introduced. Protests also followed him in February when he left the “State of the World Jewry Address” with Bari Weiss, with agitators cursing at him and calling him “Nazi scum.”

Despite these confrontations, Seinfeld expressed empathy for young people’s political engagement, though he believes their “aim” needs correction. “It’s so silly,” he said. “It’s like, you know, they want to, they want to express this sincere, intense rage. But again, a little off target.”

The conversation shifted to Seinfeld’s recent trip to Israel, which he described as “the most powerful experience” of his life. When pressed by Weiss, Seinfeld, holding back tears, confirmed the profound impact of his visit. “Sure, yeah,” he responded quietly, struggling to articulate his emotions. “You know, you just… you know.”

Seinfeld’s support for Israel has sparked backlash amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza following the deadly October 7 attack.

Two days after the incident, he posted “I Stand With Israel” on Instagram, sharing his deep connection to the country since working on a kibbutz [collective community] at 16. “My heart is breaking from these attacks and atrocities. But we are also a very strong people in our hearts and minds,” he wrote.

During his visit to Israel, Seinfeld and his family met with the families of hostages and those who had returned from Hamas captivity.

The meeting at the families’ headquarters was an emotional encounter, with Seinfeld expressing his commitment to raising global awareness about the hostages’ plight. According to attendees, Seinfeld and his family were profoundly moved by the hostages’ stories and the experiences shared by their families.

Posted on May 29, 2024

Source: (This article was originally aired on I24news and then republished by Ynetnews on May 28, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

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