LeBron James has drawn fierce criticism online after claiming he’s heard ‘great things’ about Israel and outlining his desire to one day visit.
Before Sunday night’s NBA All-Star Game in California, LeBron was asked for his thoughts on Israeli player Deni 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,’ the basketball legend said about Portland Trail Blazers forward Avdija.
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.
LeBron James has drawn fierce criticism after claiming he’s heard ‘great things’ about Israel
Left-wing commentator and former MSNBC anchor Mehdi Hasan led the criticism of LeBron
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.’
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’.