Kyrie IrvingThe man who was suspended by the Brooklyn Nets this Thursday for refusing to apologize after promoting an anti-Semitic tape finally apologized to the Jewish community tonight in a last-minute message posted on his Instagram account.
“To all the Jewish families and communities who were affected and affected by my publication, I am deeply sorry for causing you pain and I apologize.”, wrote. “I want to clear up any confusion about where I stand in the fight against anti-Semitism. I don’t want to insult Jewish cultural history related to the Holocaust or perpetuate hatred,” the point guard said, admitting that the controversial documentary contained “false and anti-Semitic statements, narratives and language.” Jews, Jews.
Irving’s withdrawal comes after days of verbal antics and evasiveness — including a final appearance before the media this Thursday — without a clear and emphatic apology and hours after the Nets ran out of patience and decided to at least terminate his job and salary. Five games.
The New York franchise said it made “repeated attempts” to work with Irving so he “understood the harm and danger of his words and actions, promoting a film with deeply disturbing anti-Semitism.”
“Today, when given a media break, we were appalled that Kyrie refused to state unequivocally that he does not hold anti-Semitic beliefs and that he failed to acknowledge the hateful content in the film. He had a chance to make it clear – and it’s not the first time he’s squandered it,” the group added.
The Nets have asserted that such behavior is “against the values” of the franchise and indicated that Irving, at this time, is not in a position to be associated with the team. “We have determined that Kyrie will be suspended without pay pending the completion of objective and restorative measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct, and that the duration of the suspension will not be less than five games,” the Nets closed.
Context of the dispute
Irving, who has had other controversies in the past such as refusing to vaccinate against the coronavirus, posted an Amazon link to the film last week on his Twitter account with 4.5 million followers. “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” (2018).
According to Rolling Stone magazine, the film is based on a book of the same title published in 2015, which includes several anti-Semitic statements such as “several prominent Jews” who “admitted” to praying to “Satan or Lucifer”. . In its Amazon description, the tape says it “discovers the true identity of the children of Israel.”
Irving’s promotion of the film drew harsh criticism from the Nets, the NBA and the league’s players association. Last Saturday, Irving assured that the “label of anti-Semitism” “does not reflect reality” and that he did not intend to insult any religious belief.
However, the Nets player was confronted by a journalist at a press conference shortly after, who asked him about his reasons for the promotion. “Don’t insult me. I’m a man, I can write whatever I want (on social media), so let’s just say that and shut up and move on to the next question”Then he said.
On Wednesday, Irving and the Nets announced they would each donate half a million dollars to “causes and organizations working to end hate and bigotry.” “I am against all forms of hatred and oppression,” he said. “I am aware of the negative impact my post has had on the Jewish community and I take responsibility. I do not believe that everything stated in the documentary is true or reflects my morals and principles (…). I do not mean to harm any group, race or religion.
However, NBA commissioner Adam Silver showed his disappointment this Thursday that Irving did not publicly apologize. “Kyrie Irving made the irresponsible decision to post (on Twitter) a link to a movie with deeply offensive and anti-Semitic content,” Silver said.
“We appreciate the fact that he has agreed to work with the Brooklyn Nets and the Anti-Defamation League to fight anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination, but he has not expressed an unconditional apology and, in particular, the vile content and damage of the movie he chose to promote,” he added.
With information from EFE
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