Spike Lee has publicly declared his support for Palestine by wearing a bold and politically-charged outfit to the NBA All-Star Game.
The Hollywood director wore a keffiyeh-patterned sweater and had a number of Palestine flags on the strap of the crossbody bag he wore to Sunday’s event in Los Angeles.
Lee, a renowned New York Knicks fan, was sat courtside with other famous faces like Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Barack and Michelle Obama and Queen Latifah.
The 68-year-old chose to wear the pro-Palestine outfit on the same day Deni Avdija became the first Israeli player to appear in the NBA’s All-Star Game.
The Portland Trail Blazers star made his own political statement by wearing the Israeli flag on the back of his jersey to play in.
‘I feel like when I come to play, I come with the entire nation, and it’s fun to show that it’s possible, even for a small country like us,’ Avdija said after the game.
Spike Lee declared his support for Palestine with a bold outfit at the NBA All-Star Game
The Hollywood director and Academy Award winner wore a keffiyeh-patterned sweater
The 68-year-old also had a number of Palestine flags on the strap of his crossbody bag
It comes after LeBron James drew fierce criticism online after claiming he’s heard ‘great things’ about Israel and outlining his desire to one day visit.
The NBA icon was asked for his thoughts on Avdija and if he would like to send a message to the Middle East country, which remains in conflict with Palestine six months after US president Donald Trump‘s ceasefire agreement.
‘I’ve been quoted on Deni already and what I thought about his season and I believe he’s an All-Star, and he is an All-Star. He’s playing exceptional basketball, so that’s that,’ LeBron said.
He then added: ‘I’ve never been there. If I have fans over there, then I hope you’ve been following my career, I hope I inspire people over there to not only want to be great at sports but be better in general in life.
‘So, hopefully someday I could make it over there. Like I said, I’ve never been over there, but I heard great things. I appreciate the question.’
LeBron received a huge backlash on social media for praising Israel amid the war in Gaza, which has reportedly killed over 73,000 Palestinians, including from left-wing commentator and former MSNBC anchor Mehdi Hasan.
Hasan, who has frequently condemned Israel over the conflict, quoted his comments on X and wrote: ‘What a disgrace LeBron is’.
American academic and author Marc Lamont Hill also posted: ‘LeBron James just said he’s “heard nothing but good things” about Israel. I’m nonplussed. Seriously. Nonplussed.’
Deni Avdija of the Trail Blazers became the first Israeli player to appear in the All-Star game
LeBron James has drawn fierce criticism after claiming he’s heard ‘great things’ about Israel
Another user commented: ‘“Heard nothing but great things” come on bron…’
‘This just absolutely shows you how much athletes do not keep up with politics…’ said a fourth.
Others, meanwhile, took aim at the reporter for putting LeBron in an ‘impossible’ situation.
‘Why are they asking him this to begin with,’ one fan questioned.
Another put: ‘Impossible question… decent response to it’.
While a third claimed: ‘His answer was great until he said heard nothing but great things’.