LeBron James is speaking out against the violence in the Middle East after Hamas led a deadly surprise attack on Israel earlier this week.
In a statement with longtime friend and SpringHill Company CEO Maverick Carter, James denounced the actions that have killed over 1,000 Israelis.
“The devastation in Israel is tragic and unacceptable,” the Wednesday statement read. “The murder and violence against innocent people by Hamas is terrorism. The SpringHill Company family sends our deepest condolences to Israel and the Jewish community. We pray for peace in the region and reiterate our continued commitment to fight hate in all its forms.
“We all must work to ensure this tragedy does not spread even more hate, racism, and antisemitism.”
James is not the first player who has addressed the violence this week, as Wizards forward Deni Avdija — the league’s lone Israeli-born player — denounced the actions of Hamas in a lengthy post.
Smoke billows after a strike by Israel on the port of Gaza City on October 10, 2023. AFP via Getty ImagesIsrael-Hamas war: How we got here
2005: Israel unilaterally withdraws from the Gaza Strip more than three decades after winning the territory from Egypt in the Six-Day War.
2006: Terrorist group Hamas wins a Palestinian legislative election.
2007: Hamas seizes control of Gaza in a civil war.
2008: Israel launches military offensive against Gaza after Palestinian terrorists fired rockets into the town of Sderot.
2023: Hamas launches the biggest attack on Israel in 50 years, in an early-morning ambush Oct. 7, firing thousands of rockets and sending dozens of militants into Israeli towns.
Terrorists killed more than 1,200 Israelis, wounded more than 4,200, and took at least 200 hostage.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to announce, “We are at war,” and vowed Hamas would pay “a price it has never known.”
The Gaza Health Ministry — which is controlled by Hamas — reported at least 3,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 12,500 injured since the war began.
LeBron James spoke out against the attacks. Getty ImagesBefore his career in the NBA, Avdija was a three-time Israeli League champion and was the MVP of the league three years ago.
He also has competed with the country’s national team.
“While I’m here playing ball, my thoughts are constantly pulled back to Israel,” Avdija said in an Instagram post on Monday. “This past Saturday, terrorists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad unleashed devastation in 21 spots across Gaza.”
“They mercilessly murdered and slaughtered innocent children, women, and elders — some at home, others during a party while celebrating a holiday.”
In Major League Baseball, Orioles pitcher Dean Kremer, an American-Israeli dual citizen, spoke Monday about the attacks before his ALDS Game 3 start on Tuesday.
The right-hander still has extended family in Israel, and said Monday that the conflict was “going to be in the back of my head.”
During his outing Wednesday, Kremer was seen wearing a Star of David necklace while on the mound.
