LeBron James Praised for Positive Comments About Israel, Sparking Backlash

Antisemitic commentator Mehdi Hasan criticized the NBA star for his supportive remarks about Israeli player Deni Avdija and NBA fans in Israel.

Feb. 18, 2026 at 6:55pm

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NBA superstar LeBron James made positive comments about Israeli player Deni Avdija and NBA fans in Israel ahead of the All-Star Game, prompting backlash from antisemitic commentator Mehdi Hasan. Hasan criticized James, calling his remarks a "disgrace." James had praised Avdija's selection to the All-Star team and expressed hope to one day visit Israel and inspire fans there.

Why it matters

James' comments highlight the ongoing tensions around Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with critics like Hasan quick to condemn any positive statements about the country. The incident also underscores the broader issue of athletes facing backlash for weighing in on political and social issues.

The details

During a pre-game press conference, James was asked about Avdija, the only active NBA player born in Israel, being selected to his first All-Star Game. James praised Avdija's exceptional play and said he hopes to one day visit Israel and inspire fans there. Hasan, a left-wing and antisemitic commentator, then took to social media to criticize James, calling his remarks a "disgrace." Hasan has a history of making antisemitic statements and pushing far-left narratives, including suggesting Israel was responsible for a deadly attack in Gaza.

  • On February 17, 2026, LeBron James made his comments about Deni Avdija and NBA fans in Israel ahead of the All-Star Game.
  • Mehdi Hasan criticized James' remarks on the same day, February 17, 2026.

The players

LeBron James

A superstar NBA player who made positive comments about an Israeli player and NBA fans in Israel.

Mehdi Hasan

An antisemitic commentator who criticized LeBron James for his supportive remarks about Israel.

Deni Avdija

An Israeli-born player who was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game.

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What they’re saying

“What a disgrace LeBron is,”

— Mehdi Hasan

“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 James

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and polarization around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where any positive comments about Israel can prompt strong backlash from critics. It also underscores the challenges athletes face when weighing in on political and social issues, as their remarks can quickly become embroiled in broader ideological debates.