Jerry Seinfeld Sparks Backlash After Telling Streamer Palestine “Doesn’t Exist” Outside Madison Square Garden

Jerry Seinfeld sparked backlash after telling a streamer to say “Free Palestine” that “It doesn’t exist” while leaving Madison Square Garden in New York City following a New York Knicks NBA Finals game on Wednesday night.

The exchange began when FinesseFave asked, “What up, Seinfeld? What up? Can we get a ‘Free Palestine’?” as Seinfeld laughed and then walked away.

Al Jazeera

The video spread online after Seinfeld’s three-word response, with the Times of Israel describing it as a second viral moment of the night after fans shared photos of him with his jaw dropped following OG Anonuby’s game-winning shot.

In a separate account, NewsNation said the 72-year-old was videotaped walking outside after the Knicks’ historic comeback in Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs, and that after a second time Seinfeld responded by laughing and discrediting its existence before walking off.

The backlash drew a response from Rep. Ilhan Omar, who told reporters on Capitol Hill that Seinfeld’s “disgusting,” “disturbing,” and potentially harmful comments were “dangerous.”

Omar said, “Using your voice to diminish the identity of an entire people is dangerous,” linking the viral exchange to the war in Gaza and arguing that denying Palestinians’ history and existence goes beyond political disagreement.

Al-Bawaba

Al Jazeera also framed the controversy as part of longstanding criticism of Seinfeld’s outspoken support for Israel amid the war in Gaza, saying the remark prompted a response from Omar.

In the same Al Jazeera report, the outlet described Seinfeld as facing backlash after saying Palestine “doesn’t exist,” and tied the reaction to Congresswoman Omar’s intervention.

The dispute also revived earlier controversies around Seinfeld’s pro-Israel remarks, including his comparison of the Free Palestine movement to the Ku Klux Klan during an appearance at Duke University in September with Omer Shem Tov.

The Times of Israel reported that Seinfeld said, “Free Palestine is, to me, just — you’re free to say you don’t like Jews,” while introducing Omer Shem Tov, an Israeli hostage kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and kept captive for 505 days.

The Times of Israel added that in 2024, about 100 Duke graduates walked out of their graduation ceremony in protest against Seinfeld delivering the commencement address, and that Seinfeld did not respond to a Jewish Telegraphic Agency request for comment.

As the war in Gaza continues to generate reactions from public figures, Al Jazeera said the backlash after Seinfeld’s “doesn’t exist” remark has been met with criticism online and Omar’s response.