Teams Express Support for Israel Following Hamas Terror Attack

Professional sports teams, as well as the leagues, issued statements expressing support for Israel as the Jewish state is dealing with the aftermath of the Hamas terror invasion on October 7.

 “The NFL mourns the loss of innocent lives in Israel and condemns all forms of terrorism. The depravity of these acts is beyond comprehension, and we grieve with the families of those killed, injured, and still missing.”

The National Football League (NFL) said in a statement on October 9, “The NFL mourns the loss of innocent lives in Israel and condemns all forms of terrorism. The depravity of these acts is beyond comprehension, and we grieve with the families of those killed, injured, and still missing. We pray for peace and will always stand against the evils of hate.”

NFL teams also issued statements. The San Francisco 49ers said the team “stands with the people of Israel and mourns the senseless loss of life at the hands of terrorists … We strongly condemn all acts of terrorism and pray for peace for the entire region.”

The Miami Dolphins also expressed solidarity with Israel. “We condemn these acts of terrorism against Israel. We stand in support of the people of Israel.”

Both of New York’s football teams weighed in. “The Jets condemn the vicious attacks by Hamas on the innocent people of Israel,” New York Jets owner Robert Wood Johnson said in a statement. “Our hearts and prayers are with those who have lost someone during this unprovoked and senseless attack. We stand in support with the people of Israel.”

The New York Giants and their owners in the Mara and Tisch families released a statement saying the franchise stands “with the people of Israel and condemn the horrific, senseless terrorist attacks that have claimed innocent lives. Our thoughts are with the people of Israel.”

Minnesota Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf and the Wilf family ownership group called the Hamas terror invasion “horrific and senseless … Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent civilians and all those impacted by this terrorism,” they said in a statement. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel.”

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who is Jewish, said through his nonprofit, Stand Up to Jewish Hate, “Our hearts break as we mourn the loss of the many innocent victims of these horrific attacks. We will continue to fight against the hate that feeds this senseless violence.” 

The NFL was not the only league to say they support Israel. The National Basketball Association (NBA), in a joint statement with the player’s union, said that they “mourn the horrific loss of life in Israel and condemn these acts of terrorism. We stand with the people of Israel and pray for peace for the entire region.” 

Among the NBA teams that shared statements was the Washington Wizards, the team that has  the only Israeli player in the NBA, small forward Deni Avdija. “The Washington Wizards stand with the people of Israel,” the team said. One of Avdija’s teammates, forward Kyle Kuzma, also expressed support for Israel on X. He wrote, “Israel” with a heart and praying hands emoji. “Just terrible stuff happening right now and my prayers with them!!” Kuzma added. He later wrote in a separate post on X, “We definitely need to take a look at our foreign policy moving forward!!!”

“The Utah Jazz stands with Israel and joins with people everywhere mourning the loss of innocent lives caused by the Hamas terrorist attacks.”

The Utah Jazz also issued a statement. The team wrote that it “stands with Israel and joins with people everywhere mourning the loss of innocent lives caused by the Hamas terrorist attacks.”

The Philadelphia 76ers said, “We stand with the people of Israel and join them in mourning the hundreds of innocent lives to terrorism at the hands of Hamas.” They concluded their statement with the hashtag “#StandWithIsrael.”

The Miami Heat also decried the Hamas terror attack, calling it “a day of senseless violence and hundreds of innocent lives lost. The Miami Heat stand with the people of Israel.”

Major League Baseball (MLB) said, “We are horrified by the acts of terrorism committed against the people of Israel that took so many lives. We mourn for all those who lost loved ones and pray for the wounded, their caretakers and those still searching for family and friends. We condemn these acts of hatred and violence and are heartbroken for the people of Israel.” One MLB team that weighed in was the Cincinnati Reds, who said that they “mourn the loss of life and suffering of innocent people caused by the terrorism perpetrated against Israel. We condemn these senseless acts of hate and stand in solidarity with the people of Israel as we pray for peace and an end to terrorism.”

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Dean Kremer, an Israeli-American, shared MLB’s statement in an Instagram story and wrote in Hebrew, per Jewish Telegraphic Agency: “There are no words. My heart just got ripped to shreds.” Kremer, who is scheduled to start the Orioles’ playoff game against the Texas Rangers on October 10, told ESPN that he has extended family in Israel and they are fine. He added that just about everyone in the Orioles clubhouse has checked to see how he’s doing and he’s “very grateful for that.”

The National Hockey League (NHL) and their labor union said that they “mourn the loss of life in Israel and condemn the acts of terrorism. We hope for a time when peace can be achieved.”