By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Brooklyn Net star Kyrie Irving apologized again for posting a link to a film with anti-Jewish propaganda and the comments he made in the following days and led to his suspension.
“I just want to apologize deeply for all my actions throughout the time that it’s been since the post was first put up,” Irving told in an interview to SNY. “I’ve had a lot of time to think. But my focus, initially, if I could do it over, would be to heal and repair a lot of my close relationships with my Jewish relatives, brothers and sisters.”
“I’m not antisemitic, I never have been,” Irving added. “I don’t have hate in my heart for the Jewish people, or anyone that identifies as a Jew. I’m not anti-Jewish or any of that.”
Irving posted a link to the film “Hebrew to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” on his social media in late October. The movie includes several conspiracy theories and antisemitic tropes, including Holocaust Denial.
“I don’t have hate in my heart for the Jewish people or anyone that identifies as a Jew,” Irving said. “I’m not anti-Jewish or any of that. “And it’s been difficult to sit at home with my family, with them seeing all of this and having questions. You know, the part that’s been the hardest is explaining myself, because I know who I am, and I know what I represent.”
When asked about the post by reporters, Irving neither apologized nor denounced the film. He also never clearly stated that he doesn’t hold antisemitic views.
In the aftermath of these comments, Irving, a seven-time All-Star, was suspended by the Nets for “at least five games”. His 17 million deal with Nike was suspended and the company said that they won’t release the new Kyrie 8 shoe that was planned to be out on November 8.
Irving later issued a lengthy apology statement on his Instagram on November 4. He’s expected to return to action Sunday vs. the Memphis Grizzlies after missing eight games.
“I felt like I was protecting my character and I reacted out of just pure defense and just hurt that I could be labeled, or I thought that I was being labeled as antisemitic or anti-Jewish, and I’ve felt like that was just so disrespectful to ask me whether or not I was antisemitic or not,” Irving mentioned.
“Now to the outside world, that may have been seen as a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Which rightfully so, it should’ve been, ‘No, I’m not antisemitic. No, I’m not anti-Jewish.’ I’m a person who believes we should all have equal opportunities and that we should all shower each other with love, and that should be at the forefront.”