Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld was met with some boos and jeers during a commencement ceremony at Duke University on Sunday. 

As per NBC News, dozens of students dressed in caps and gowns got up from their seats in Duke’s football stadium and headed toward the exit. Several waved Palestinian flags and shouted “Free, Free Palestine,” while others booed at the pro-Israel comedian.

Seinfeld was later able to deliver his guest speech uninterrupted.

“A lot of you are thinking, ‘I can’t believe they invited this guy.’ Too late,” Seinfeld joked. “I say, use your privilege. I grew up a Jewish boy from New York. That is a privilege if you want to be a comedian.” 

Universities nationwide have announced changes ahead of commencement and various graduation events, with some taking more drastic measures than others. Columbia University and the University of Southern California canceled their main commencement ceremonies, while others, like Emory University in Atlanta and Pomona College outside of Los Angeles, moved large graduation events off campus.

Meanwhile, some commencement speakers have either been removed from the program or chosen to drop out. US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield was removed from the commencement programs of Xavier University in Louisiana and the University of Vermont after an uproar over her support for Israel at the UN, according to the report.

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