Israel causes American sports stars like Kyrie Irving to break their silence. Here's why it's taken years. (1537 hits)

Israel causes American sports stars like Kyrie Irving to break their silence. Here's why it's taken years.

As the Palestinian death toll grows, a small group of athletes are embracing a new internationalism defined by anti-racism.

May 14, 2021, 5:59 AM CDT / Updated May 14, 2021, 7:26 AM CDT
By Dave Zirin, MSNBC Opinion Columnist

As Israel sends air and ground troops into Gaza in violation of international law, more people in the United States, from members of Congress to Jewish American organizations, are speaking out against it. Constituencies whom the Israeli state has traditionally looked to for support are in rebellion. Criticism is also coming from the world of sports.

If there has ever been a third rail at the intersection of sports and politics, it has been expressing any kind of solidarity with the Palestinian people that requires criticizing Israel.

In 2014, as Israeli forces bombarded Gaza in what was called Operation Protective Edge, NBA All-Star Dwight Howard tweeted, "#FreePalestine." The outrage was so intense that he took the tweet down and tweeted: "Previous tweet was a mistake. I have never commented on international politics and never will."

This silence is enforced by a bipartisan consensus that "Israel has the right to defend itself," even when its military goes on offense, occupying neighborhoods and expelling their residents. Palestinians are never, in the eyes of the U.S., granted that same privilege of the "right to defense." Fears of transgressing a political consensus and of being branded as antisemitic have bred quietude in the face of violence and occupation.

But those days of skittish silence may be done. The brutal evictions of Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, the attacks on protesters and the bombardment of Gaza are reported to have killed at least 115 Palestinians, 27 of them children, and eight Israelis.

These horrors are provoking a response, but they're not the only reason people are speaking out. Among a small group of athletes, connections have been forged between the Black Lives Matter movement and the Palestinian liberation struggle. And these athletes are embracing a new internationalism defined by anti-racism and standing on the side of the oppressed.

By my count, several prominent U.S. athletes have posted words of solidarity with the Palestinian people. These include Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving and Portland Trailblazers guard Damian Lillard — both of whom have been outspoken for racial justice in their own country — and Trailblazers center Jusuf Nurkić. WNBA star Layshia Clarendon has shared messages of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Soccer stars Tziarra King and Midge Purce have both shared messages of support on Instagram.

This solidarity of U.S. athletes has been narrow, albeit significant. When U.S. athletes speak out, it has global ramifications. This is not only because of the cultural platform; it's also because athletes' resistance reflects to the country and the world a new reality that the U.S., the main backer of the Israeli state, is far from united in its support.

Athletic resistance to Israeli's politics is more pronounced outside the U.S., where not only individual players but entire teams have been raising their voices. Canadian professional wrestler Sami Zayn has been amplifying the injustice of the Sheikh Jarrah attacks.

Israel causes American sports stars like Kyrie Irving to break their silence. Here's why it's taken years. https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/israel-cause...

Posted By: Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
Saturday, May 15th 2021 at 4:00PM
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