Nets suspend Kyrie Irving for refusing to disavow antisemitism [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The Brooklyn Nets suspended Kyrie Irving on Thursday for a minimum of 5 games for “failure to disavow anti-Semitism.”
• The star player shared a link to a documentary film containing anti-Semitic ideas over the weekend.
• Though Irving said he didn’t mean to harm anyone, he neither apologized nor denounced antisemitism during a media appearance.

The Brooklyn Nets announced Thursday that they have suspended Kyrie Irving without pay after the star guard posted a controversial tweet over the weekend. Irving shared a link to a documentary film containing anti-Semitic ideas and refused to apologize during several press conferences.

The Nets said Irving will be suspended for at least five games.

In a statement, the Nets said they made the decision after “repeated attempts to work with Kyrie Irving to help him understand the harm and danger of his words and actions, which began with him publicizing a film containing deeply disturbing antisemitic hate.”

The Nets were also “dismayed” by Irving’s media appearance Thursday during which he was asked by reporters directly if he held any antisemitic beliefs.

“Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film,” the Nets said. “This was not the first time he had the opportunity — but failed — to clarify.”

“Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets,” the team added.

Earlier Thursday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in his own statement that he was “disappointed” that Irving didn’t offer an “unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize,” adding that he wants to meet with the 30-year-old NBVA superstar next week to “discuss this situation.”

Irving eventually apologized later in an Instagram post.

The FBI said it had received credible reports about a “broad” threat to synagogues in New Jersey, Irving’s home state.

The team had announced Wednesday in a joint statement with Irving and the Anti-Defamation League that Irving and the Nets would each donate $500,000 to anti-hate groups. 

In that statement, Irving wrote: “I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day.”

Following the announced suspension, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted that the organization would not be accepting any donations from Irving.

The controversy began on Oct. 27 when Irving Oct. 27 posted a link on Twitter to the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.” The synopsis on Amazon said the 2018 film “uncovers the true identity of the Children of Israel.”

The film is filled with conspiracy theories about Jewish people, including false claims that Jews dominated the slave trade. 

Source: Fox News