April 21, 2024
Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.
April 21, 2024
Search
Close this search box.

Linking Northern and Central NJ, Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester and CT

Courtside Fans Protest Kyrie Comments Wearing ‘Fight Antisemitism’ Shirts

(VINnews) A group of Jews wearing kipas sat courtside at the October 31 Nets/Pacers basketball game in their pro-Jewish t-shirts, just a few feet from Kyrie Irving who recently posted antisemitic comments on social media.

While attending the game at the Barclays Center, the fans wore shirts that said “Fight Antisemitism.” Irving recently shared a link to an anti-Jewish movie titled “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America”—filled with antisemitic disinformation.

He was criticized by Nets owner Joe Tsai and by the ADL, and drew heckling from some fans.

According to a tweet from Nets fan Ethan Schorr, who was seated nearby, Irving went over to the yeshiva students and said, “Grateful for you guys.”

According to reports, the Anti-Defamation League’s CEO Jonathan Greenblatt spoke directly with Tsai and the NBA, and engaged indirectly with Irving as well through a representative, in response to the controversial post.

“At a time when anti-Jewish incidents have reached historic levels, this situation has caused real pain in the Jewish community. Whether or not it was intentional, Kyrie lifted up a hateful film to his millions of followers,” the ADL spokesperson told the New York Post. “We hope a process of constructive dialogue and mutual healing will follow.

“We also deeply appreciate the efforts of Joe Tsai, [BSE CEO] Sam Zussman, Sean Marks, and the entire Brooklyn Nets organization in listening to our concerns and working with ADL on this matter. More than ever, we are committed to working with the Nets to make sure that Brooklyn and the NBA is no place for hate.”

Leave a Comment

Most Popular Articles