'I had no intention to disrespect': Kyrie Irving apologizes over anti-semitic post hours after suspension
MALIBU, CALIFORNIA: Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving has finally apologized for tweeting a link to a film that is deemed to be anti-Semitic. Irving issued an apology on Thursday, November 3, and claimed full responsibility for his choice to distribute the information with his 4.6 million Twitter followers.
Irving apologized publicly on Instagram after learning of his suspension and made an effort to explain his intentions for endorsing the film. He wrote, "While doing research on YHWH, I posted a Documentary that contained some false anti-Semitic statements, narratives, and language that were untrue and offensive to the Jewish Race/Religion, and I take full accountability and responsibly for my actions." "I am grateful to have a big platform to share knowledge and I want to move forward by having an open dialogue to learn more and grow from this. I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled antisemitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary," Irving stated.
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Apologizing to the Jewish communities, the NBA star wrote, "To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize. I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate." This apology comes just a few hours after the Nets handed him a minimum five-game suspension. Irving continued, "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."
When Irving apologized, many people responded in his favor, with one person writing, "Atonement, Clarity, Truth, Knowledge! Keep Being the Light Brother, Keep Going! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽." Another person who thought Irving did nothing wrong wrote, "You did nothing wrong! Let them hate, tell them to stop killing children on stolen land."
Another individual who commented in full support of Irving wrote, "Nothing in that book was false bro. They made you pay 500k still suspended you amd you still have to issue statements like this. Only thing to learn from this situation is the crafty counsel is real to stop us from learning our true identity 💯." Another person who found Irving's apology surprising wrote, "Wow can't believe they made you do this."
Irving faced harsh criticism after he shared a link to a documentary called 'Hebrews to Negroes: Wake up Black America' based on a 2015 book of the same name by Ronald Dalton Jr. Both the book and documentary have been criticized for their antisemitic message. Nets owner Joe Tsai described the film as "full of antisemitic disinformation." Irving had then maintained his position despite harsh criticism from the NBA, the Nets, and former players.
I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone’s religious beliefs. The “Anti-Semitic” label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday. I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religions.
— Hélà (@KyrieIrving) October 29, 2022
Hélà🤞🏾♾
Events took a different turn after the Nets suspended Irving for at least five games without pay for his "failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so." Irving would be suspended "until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct," the organization stated.
Disclaimer: This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.