Sonny Bill Williams anti-Israel rants lead NRL to distance itself from former star

The NRL has written to Jewish groups in response to concerns raised about Sonny Bill Williams’ downplaying the massacre of the Hamas terror group, including branding the rapes a “hoax”. Read the NRL response.

The NRL has now distanced itself from provocative anti-Israeli rants by former star player Sonny Bill Williams - saying he does not have any contractual relationship with the NRL or any clubs – and has come out “strongly rejecting” any statements that “deny or downplay” the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7.

It follows on from Channel Nine also cautioning the former professional All Black and boxer over his inflammatory social media posts that Israeli women being raped were a hoax and Hamas atrocities were “proven to be untrue”.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) wrote to the National Rugby League earlier this month, saying many Jewish community members were “distressed” over the Mr Williams’ on-going social media postings.

The senior executives pointed out that Mr Williams was a high profile influencer, with a huge social media following, based on his careers as a professional rugby league player and former All Black, as well as his boxing career.

Former All Black Sonny Bill Williams controversial social media posts denying Israeli women were raped during October 7 have drawn the ire of the Jewish community.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo wrote back on Monday explaining Mr Williams was not bound by the NRL rules.

“The NRL condemns any comments that have the effect of denying or downplaying the atrocities committed by Hamas on 7 October 2023, including the targeting and murder of civilians, including women and children, the taking of hostages and indiscriminate fire.

Sonny Bill Williams shared a claim that the New York Times story about rapes of Israeli women was a "hoax". Photo: Twitter / Supplied

“The NRL does not endorse or support the comments and or views articulated by Mr Williams in his comments recently posted on Instagram and X.”

“Given that Mr Williams is not bound by the NRL Rules, the NRL has no jurisdiction or mechanism to sanction or counsel Mr Williams in relation to the comments he has made on social media platforms.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has moved to distance the NRL from Sonny Bill Williams. Picture: Monique Harmer

“The NRL does not consider that it is appropriate for it, as a sporting organisation, to make any public statement about the on-going Middle Eastern conflict at this time. However, I wish to again express the NRL’s rejection of any statements that deny or downplay what occurred.”

Senior executives of the ECAJ, the peak elected national body of the Jewish community, had appealed to the NRL to “counsel him” to cease his postings.

“In the eyes of his followers, who would include many impressionable younger people, Mr Williams’ sporting profile may give his false claims a certain credibility and the potential to do a great deal of harm.”

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Peter Wertheim said: “We thank the NRL for its response and commend it for demonstrating moral clarity about this concerning issue. We hope NRL fans everywhere will take note.”

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