Kyrie Irving condemned for posts pushing anti-Semitic books and films

An NBA star has drawn widespread backlash after multiple posts on social media pushing anti-Semitic disinformation.

Kyrie Irving is back at it again. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFP

Kyrie Irving has put himself in the middle of another controversy.

The Nets star raised eyebrows Thursday with a tweet and Instagram story that included an Amazon page marketing — and tacitly endorsing — a 2018 film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” that has been described as filled with anti-Semitic disinformation.

The film is based on a 2015 book by the same name, the NY Post reports.

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Rolling Stone called the film and book “venomously anti-Semitic,” citing statements within claiming “many famous high-ranking Jews” have “admitted” to “worship[ing] Satan or Lucifer.”

A Nets spokesperson told The Post: “The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech. 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.”

Later in the night, Nets owner Joe Tsai weighed in on Twitter.

“I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-Semitic disinformation,” Tsai tweeted. “I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion.

“This is bigger than basketball.”

Kyrie Irving condemned over anti-Semitic push

The description of the film on Amazon says the movie “uncovers the true identity of the Children of Israel by proving the true ethnicity of Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Sons of Ham, Shem & Japheth. Find out what Islam, Judaism and Christianity has covered up for centuries in regards to the true biblical identity of the so-called Negro in this movie packed with tons of research.”

A similar description of the book, as noted by Rolling Stone, reads: “Since the European and Arab slave traders stepped foot into Africa, blacks have been told lies about their heritage.”

Both suggest “Hebrews to Negroes” espouse ideas in line with extreme factions of the Black Hebrew Israelites, which have a long history of misogyny, homophobia, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and especially antisemitism, Rolling Stone’s Jon Blistein wrote. The book’s fourth chapter, titled “When Did Racism Towards Blacks Start?” also starts by falsely suggesting that anti-black racism can be traced back to key Jewish texts.

Oh Kyrie. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP

There are other passages throughout the book that also have been proven false, according to the Rolling Stone article.

This is only the latest instance of Irving having thrust himself into controversial subject matter.

In September, Irving shared on his Instagram a 2002 conspiracy video of Alex Jones decrying a “New World Order.”

Last season, Irving also found himself embroiled over his COVID-19 vaccine scepticism, which cost him much of his season with the team. And in 2018, Irving, then on the Celtics, claimed the Earth is flat before later apologising.

This article originally appeared on the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.