Nets owner condemns Kyrie Irving for promoting film and book with ‘antisemitic disinformation’

Nets owner Joe Tsai issued a statement via Twitter late Friday night condemning Kyrie Irving for promoting a film and book that is widely regarded to be antisemitic on his Twitter and Instagram.

“I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of antisemitic disinformation,” Tsai tweeted at 11:19 p.m. Friday. “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.”

Shortly before Thursday’s loss to Dallas, Irving tweeted a link out to an Amazon page for the 2018 film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake up Black America.” The tweet was first noted by Rolling Stone magazine, which published an article noting that the movie is “stuffed with antisemitic tropes.” As of 12:30 Saturday morning, the tweet still remained on his account.

The Nets also released a statement on the matter.

“The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech,” the team said in a statement on Friday. “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.”

Irving, who will be at Barclays Center to play the Pacers on Saturday, has not commented publicly on the matter.