Brooklyn Nets denounce Kyrie Irving for promoting antisemitic film known for extremist content that refers to European Jews as the 'synagogue of Satan'
As first detailed in, the 2018 film — directed by Ronald Dalton, Jr. and based on his book of the same name — features several antisemitic tropes, including"more extreme factions of the Black Hebrew Israelites, which have a long history of misogyny, homophobia, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and especially antisemitism."
Blistein writes that some Black Hebrew Israelites are known for referring to European Jews as the"synagogue of Satan," and promote the belief that Jews are responsible for slavery. Dalton's film and book mention"Jewish slave ships that brought our West African negro or Bantu ancestors to slave ports owned by [Jews]," Rolling Stone reported.
His remarks came shortly after the Nets organization shared its own statement, also decrying Irving's tweet. "The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech," the statement reads."We believe that in these situations, our first action must be open, honest dialogue. We thank those, including the ADL [Anti-Defamation League], who have been supportive during this time."
The incident marks the latest in a series of controversies involving Irving. In addition to his stanch anti-vaccination sentiments, the player has referred to himself as a"conspiracy theorist,"