Former Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson addressed a picture he had posted on Instagram of himself with Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, saying that he doesn’t “support anti-Semitic or homophobic views from anyone.
Jewish Insider reported that Iverson posted a photo of himself with Farrakhan on July 14 with a caption that read, “I didn’t choose to be black, I just got lucky!!! #BucketListMoment#LoveConquersHate#GoodDefeatsEvil”
.@alleniverson also supports Farrakhan.
Why doesn’t every celebrity who loves the Minister of Hate just let us know all at once so we can avoid repeating this pathetic process ad nauseam?!
As the list of antisemitic Farrakhan supporters grows, so does the dustbin of history! pic.twitter.com/S10BooTQvg
— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) July 16, 2020
Iverson addressed the photo in a July 16 Instagram post, stating that during his days in the NBA, he knew Farrakhan’s son, Mustapha, and as a result, Iverson came to know members of Mustapha’s family, including Louis Farrakhan. Iverson said in the statement that the photo was originally from 2017.
“I respect Louis Farrakhan’s strong voice on behalf of Black people and on behalf of the Black community,” the statement read. “I also acknowledge that he is viewed as a controversial figure and I am aware that he has made remarks and comments that are different than my own views and beliefs.”
Iverson added that he didn’t intend to offend anybody with his post.
“As one who has been a victim of racial injustice personally, I do not support or condone hatred of any kind,” Iverson said. “Specifically, I do not support anti-Semitic or homophobic views from anyone.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCuF6lFjAWk/?igshid=1693hsjzexhs3
Bryan Leib, chairman of the newly formed HaShevet watchdog against anti-Semitism, said in a statement to the Journal, “As a lifelong Sixers fan, I’m devastated that Allen Iverson has signaled his support for a man who has called the Jewish people ‘termites’ and ‘satanic.’ Iverson’s failure to specifically call out Farrakhan’s anti-Semitism is disappointing to say the least.”
He added: “HaShevet strongly condemns Louis Farrakhan for continuing to spread lies about the Jewish people and calls on all Jewish organizations to do the same.”
Liora Rez, director of the Stop Anti-Semitism.org watchdog, also said in a statement to the Journal, “We have a feeling Iverson saw [Nick] Cannon lose a lucrative deal with ViacomCBS while DeSean Jackson continues to trip over himself trying to remedy the circus he caused. He quickly realized before he digs a bigger hole than he already has by promoting Farrakhan on his Instagram page yesterday morning, he would get ahead of the situation and issue this pathetic attempt at saving face.”
Jewish Insider noted that former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Stephen Jackson commented “love u bro” on Iverson’s July 14 Farrakhan post and that Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (no relation) liked the post and then subsequently removed the like. Stephen Jackson and DeSean Jackson have come under fire expressing warmth about Farrakhan.
Former professional football player Clarence Burgess Owens, who is Black and currently running for a congressional seat in Utah as a Republican, tweeted on July 15, “As Americans we have a duty to stand up to the David Dukes of the world, we also have an equal duty to stand up to the Louis Farrakhans of the world.”
As Americans we have a duty to stand up to the David Dukes of the world, we also have an equal duty to stand up to the Louis Farrakhans of the world.
— Burgess Owens (@BurgessOwens) July 15, 2020
Anti-Defamation League Director Emeritus Abraham Foxman tweeted on July 13, “When will the anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan lose his Teflon coating? When will he no longer be protected and be immune from civil society’s so called outrage of hate and prejudice? When will the double standard rejecting racism and tolerating anti-Semitism cease?”
When will the anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan lose his Teflon coating?When will he no longer be protected and be immune from civil society’s so called outrage of hate and prejudice ? When will the double standard rejecting racism and tolerating anti-Semitism cease?
— Abraham Foxman (@FoxmanAbraham) July 14, 2020
