A few courtside seats at the Brooklyn-Indiana game on Monday night were packed by people wearing “Fight Antisemitism” shirts, days after Nets star Kyrie Irving tweeted a link to a movie with anti-Jewish stereotypes.
On Thursday, Irving tweeted a link to the movie “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.” The movie “uncovers the actual identity of the Children of Israel,” according to the Amazon summary.
According to Rolling Stone, the film is “based on a viciously antisemitic book that claims that “many notable high-ranking Jews” have “confessed” to “worship[ing] Satan or Lucifer.”
Following a significant backlash that included condemnation from Nets owner Joe Tsai and the Anti-Defamation League as well as a statement from the NBA condemning all types of hate speech, he removed the tweet on Sunday. On Saturday, he defended his choice to do so.
On Saturday, Irving declared his acceptance of all faiths and resolutely maintained his freedom to publish anything he chooses.
Irving said, “I’m not going to back down on anything I believe in. I’m not alone, therefore I’m just going to become stronger. I have a whole army around me.
The situation, according to Nets coach Steve Nash, is “an chance for us to develop and comprehend fresh ideas,” he said on Monday.
According to Nash, “I believe the organization is attempting to take that stance or they may communicate via this, and try to all come out in a better place with greater knowledge and more empathy for every side of this discussion and problem.”
Irving has previously advocated for the flattening of the Earth, recently posted a video from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, and missed the majority of the Nets’ home games last season due to his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccination, which was required in New York City.
After the Nets turned down his request for a contract extension this summer, Irving could be playing for the franchise for the last time.