*Kyrie Irving spoke with SNY’s Ian Begley on Saturday and once again apologized to the Jewish community for posting a link to a documentary that unpacks Biblical genealogy and the genetic origins of Hebrew Israelites.
“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,” he told SNY, Complex reports. “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.”
Kyrie continued: “But I think the difficult aspect is just processing all of this, understanding the power of my voice, the influence I have. I’m no one’s idol, but I am a human being that wants to make impact and change. I’m sorry not only to the Jewish community, but to my family members and my relatives, because they know I stand for something bigger. I’m grateful now that I get to explain myself.”
As we reported previously, Irving had been temporarily suspended from the Brooklyn Nets for sharing a link to a documentary that explores the history of Black Hebrews. Members of the Jewish community said they are so “hurt” by it that the NBA star was forced to apologize multiple times and urged to give money to Jewish causes.
READ MORE: NBA Executives, Players Defend Kyrie Irving Amid Antisemitism Accusations
Kyrie Irving has a lot of support outside of Barclays Center today
(Via @PlainJaneDee_) pic.twitter.com/DQpSAJ0ool
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) November 20, 2022
Irving was issued an 8-game suspension for posting the link to the documentary “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.” The film is based on a book of the same name by Ronald Dalton Jr. Irving refused to apologize for posting the link but he spoke to the Jewish community once more on Sunday when his suspension ended.
Two weeks after the Brooklyn Nets guard was slaughtered in the media over the documentary, which many deemed as antisemitic, Irving returned to the game on Sunday and had the full sport of hundreds of Hebrew Israelites who showed up and showed out outside Barclays center.
“I just want to offer my deep apologies to all those who were impacted over these last few weeks, specifically my Jewish relatives, my Black relatives, all races and cultures,” Irving said prior to Sunday’s game between his Brooklyn Nets and the Memphis Grizzlies. “Feel like we all felt an impact and I don’t stand for anything close to hate speech or antisemitism or anything that is ‘anti,’ going against the human race.”
Black Hebrew Israelites out in force today, chanting “we are the real Jews” and “time to wake up,” as they marched towards the Barclay’s Center in support of Kyrie Irving’s return. pic.twitter.com/hUPbbHlsBg
— Ari Ingel (@OGAride) November 21, 2022
Irving posted a lengthy apology on Instagram earlier this month. While he noted that he agreed with some of the documentary’s points, Irving acknowledged that it contained “false anti-Semitic statements, narratives, and language.”
“I want to clarify any confusion on where I stand fighting against anti-Semitism by apologizing for posting the documentary without context and a factual explanation outlining the specific beliefs in the Documentary I agreed with and disagreed with,” he wrote.
“I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate. I am learning from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all. I am no different than any other human being. I am a seeker of truth and knowledge, and I know who I Am,” he added.
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
