How American athletes are standing up for Palestine despite vilification, threats

By Alireza Akbari

In a viral video, American professional basketball player and eight-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard on Tuesday addressed the backlash he faced after tweeting "Free Palestine." 

His remarks came as the death toll in Gaza surpassed 46,500, with over 109,500 people injured.

In a conversation on The GAUDs Show, the eight-time NBA All-Star (2007-2014) said his support for Palestine nearly jeopardized his career in the professional basketball league of his country.

“I tweeted 'Free Palestine'. Less than ten minutes later, I received urgent calls from the NBA commissioner, my agents, representatives from my foundation, and even contacts from Texas urging me to delete the tweet,” Howard told the show host Ray Daniels on YouTube.

"When you're part of the National Basketball Association, there are countless thoughts you may wish to express, yet you know that doing so could lead to serious consequences. You'd find yourself in deep water," he hastened to add, referring to the backlash. 

Howard, who was playing for the Houston Rockets at the time, also explained his “big heart” for his Palestinian fans who gathered and engaged in conversation with him, urging him to use his position to raise awareness about their battered and bruised homeland.

"Feeling a strong empathy for their situation, I thought, 'I want the world to be aware of what they're enduring,' which led me to tweet 'Free Palestine'," he stated.

"Before I knew it, I was bombarded with calls from influential figures in the NBA world. They were frantic, insisting, 'You have to erase this tweet! You need to take it down!' I was left utterly confused, asking myself, 'What did I do that was so wrong? Can someone help me understand?'"

The NBA star, who has played for several franchises and won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, said that after posting the tweet, the NBA commissioner, his agents, and people working with his foundation in Texas urged him to delete it.

“I had to hold my tongue, and that’s so bad,” the former NBA superstar noted.

Palestine advocacy at a cost

Howard is not the only American athlete to express his solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, who have faced backlash and even lost support from their federations. 

Born on August 4, 1997, in Tampa, Florida, Azeez Al-Shaair, a linebacker for the Houston Texans, used the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign in December 2024 to show his support for Palestine.

His campaign came amid the genocidal war, which has killed 46,537 people and injured 109,571 others, according to the statement released by the Gaza health ministry on Saturday. 

Launched in 2016, this annual initiative allows NFL players to wear personalized cleats representing causes they support, typically during Weeks 13 and 14 of the NFL season.

The campaign gives players the opportunity to raise awareness for various charitable organizations and personal causes by wearing custom-designed cleats during designated games.

Afterward, the cleats are often auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting the respective charities.

Al-Shaair wore custom cleats supporting the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), making a strong pro-Palestinian statement among athletes in major US sports leagues.

His cleats featured the word "Free" in the colors of the Palestinian flag on one side, while the other side displayed inscriptions including, "At least 41,788 Palestinians killed," "96,794 wounded," "Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will all return," and "10,000+ estimated to be under the rubble."

He showcased these cleats during Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season, specifically during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Over his support for Palestine, the 27-year-old linebacker was labeled as a supporter of extremism and terrorism, in line with the Western media propaganda that Hamas is a "terrorist group."

On December 2, a reporter for the American political journalism website Washington Free Beacon claimed that Al-Shaair’s cleats were “featuring Hamas propaganda.”

Al-Shaair's participation in the campaign brought attention to the PCRF and the situation in Palestine, showcasing how athletes can use their positions and platforms to highlight global issues.

Al-Shaair had done it before as well. Around a year ago, he showed his support for Palestine through his participation in the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign. During the 2023 season, while playing for the San Francisco 49ers, he chose to represent the PCRF.

His custom cleats featured designs symbolizing solidarity with Palestine, aiming to raise awareness about the humanitarian challenges faced by Palestinian children.

In a video that went viral on social media in November 2023, a month after the genocidal war was launched, Al-Shaair spoke out about the dire situation in Gaza, particularly the bombing of “men, women, and children” by the Israeli regime, and highlighted the lack of basic “necessities” for Palestinians in the fully blockaded strip.

In addition to his involvement in the "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign, Al-Shaair is a member of Athletes For Ceasefire, a group of athletes advocating for an immediate ceasefire in conflict zones, including Gaza.

Kyire Irving

Born on March 23, 1992, in Melbourne, Australia, and raised in New Jersey, Kyrie Irving is an NBA superstar and professional basketball player currently serving as the point guard for the Dallas Mavericks.

The 32-year-old American basketball icon and former NBA champion has publicly expressed solidarity with Palestine through various symbolic gestures during the 2023 NBA season.

During a post-game press conference on November 18, 2023, following the Mavericks' game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Irving wore the keffiyeh. 

Irving's decision to wear a keffiyeh during the press conference sparked significant backlash on social media, particularly from pro-Israeli lobby groups that called for action against him.

They criticized his choice, accusing him of antisemitism, with some even labeling him a "Jew hater."

In addition to wearing the white and black keffiyeh – a prominent symbol of the Palestinian national movement – Irving has expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people on other occasions.

In November 2022, the NBA superstar refused to take questions during a post-game press conference following the Brooklyn Nets' 116-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers on November 1, 2022.

“I’m not going to lie to you guys, a lot of stuff is going on in this world, and basketball is just not the most important thing to me right now,” he said. “There’s a lot of things going on overseas. All our people are still in bondage across the world, and there’s a lot of dehumanization going on.”

A day after the press conference, Brooklyn Nets suspended Kyrie Irving for five games without pay.

Nets subsequently said Irving is "currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets."

The team required him to meet several conditions, including the completion of sensitivity training and meetings with Jewish leaders, before being reinstated.

Jaylen Brown

Another prominent supporter of Palestine in the American sports community is Jaylen Brown, the 28-year-old star guard for the Boston Celtics, drafted 3rd overall in 2016.

A 3-time All-Star, 2024 NBA Champion, and Finals MVP, Brown is known for his explosive scoring, elite defense, and clutch performances.

The first NBA player to secure a $300M contract, Brown has shown solidarity with Palestine by wearing a "Free Gaza" wristband on mutliple occasions.

During the 2023-2024 NBA season, he wore the wristband amid the Israeli genocide in Gaza as a mark of protest against the massacre of Palestinian children and women by the apartheid regime. 

Images of Brown wearing the wristband circulated widely on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, where users expressed a range of opinions.

Some praised his stance, while others criticized it, reflecting the polarized views on his move.

Some fans and commentators speculated that Brown's support for Palestine, including wearing the wristband, might have influenced his omission from Team USA's roster.

Natasha Cloud

Natasha Cloud, 32, a point guard for the Phoenix Mercury in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), has long been an advocate for Palestine.

Since October 2023, Cloud has used her social media platforms to raise awareness about the genocide and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which is now in its 15th month.

She has been one of the few WNBA players—and professional athletes overall—who have consistently spoken out in support of Palestinians, before and after the events of October 7, 2023.

“There’s a genocide happening. People are scared to use that word – it is what it is. It’s a genocide. It’s ethnic cleansing. It’s intentional… We’re not paying attention,” Cloud said on May 29.

“The least that I can do with this God-given platform…is to be a servant for my community and others.”

Cloud first used her platform to bring attention to the Gaza genocide on October 11, 2023, after the Israeli regime ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza.

“This situation is not simple in any sense... But what is simple is people are not just ‘collateral damage,’” she said.

Nearly a month later, Cloud joined peaceful protesters in Washington, D.C., calling for a ceasefire and an end to the siege of Gaza.

Three months into the Israeli genocide in Gaza, with unabated airstrikes and the death toll exceeding 20,000, the basketball superstar once again used her platform for a humanitarian appeal.

"Y’all wanting me to have a gentle approach to genocide and what’s happening around the world is really wild… Imma continue screaming ceasefire,” Cloud posted on X.

She also faced backlash for their pro-Palestine support, with US media as well as social media trolls attacking her. However, she refused to be bullied and contined raising her voice. 

Cloud's career highlights include being a vital contributor to the Mystics’ 2019 WNBA Championship win and earning All-Defensive Team honors in 2019 and 2022.

In 2022, she also led the WNBA in assists and has averaged 8.1 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game throughout her career.

Her addition to the Phoenix Mercury in 2024 brought veteran leadership to a roster featuring stars like Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi.

Beyond her basketball achievements, Cloud is widely recognized for her activism and unwavering commitment to social justice, particularly on the issue of Palestine.

Kierstan Bell

Born on January 16, 2000, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kierstan Bell is a rising star in the WNBA who has signed the “Athletes for Ceasefire” statement, which condemns Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people and calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Bell, like other pro-Palestine atheletes, has been vilified and intimidated for her advocacy.

She plays as a guard for the Las Vegas Aces, showcasing a versatile skill set that includes exceptional scoring ability, playmaking, and strong defensive capabilities.

She was included in the 2022 WNBA Draft and was selected by the Las Vegas Aces, solidifying her status as one of the league's emerging talents.

While still early in her professional career, Bell is regarded as a player with high potential, driven by her strong work ethic and passion for the game.

Her notable achievements include multiple All-ASUN Team selections during her collegiate career, underscoring her talent and consistency.

Layshia Clarendon

Born on May 2, 1991, in San Bernardino, California, Layshia Clarendon is a professional basketball player currently competing for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA.

Clarendon has joined fellow WNBA stars Natasha Cloud and Kierstan Bell in supporting Palestine by signing the “Athletes for Ceasefire” statement, and received her share of criticism. 

She began her collegiate career at the University of California, Berkeley, where she became a standout player for the Golden Bears.

After an impressive college career, Clarendon was selected by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2013 WNBA Draft. She later made her mark with the Atlanta Dream, where she played for several seasons, before stints with the New York Liberty and ultimately the Indiana Fever.

A WNBA All-Star in 2017, Clarendon was also named to the All-Defensive Team that same year, showcasing her skills on both ends of the court. Beyond basketball, she is recognized as a vocal advocate for social justice and human rights.

Athletes for Ceasefire initiative

The Athletes for Ceasefire initiative was launched by a group of professional athletes and organizations in the US calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and end of the Israeli genocidal war.

The movement aims to leverage the global influence of athletes to advocate for peace and end to Israeli ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in the besieged coastal strip.

The petition has garnered widespread support from high-profile athletes, including NBA stars, NFL players, and Olympic champions.

By late 2023, around 200 athletes had signed the petition, forming a diverse, cross-sport coalition advocating for peace.

These athletes are using their platforms to amplify the voices of those suffering under the Israeli genocidal campaign and to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The initiative is spearheaded by John Carlos, renowned for his historic Black Power salute at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, which protested systemic racial oppression in the United States.

Notable signatories include Kenny Stills (NFL, retired), Etan Thomas (NBA, retired), Michael Bennett (NFL, retired), Abdi Abdirahman (five-time Olympian, track and field), Abdihamid Nur (USA track and field), Krissy Gear (track and field, HOKA NAZ Elite), Eric Kendricks (NFL), Donté Stallworth (NFL, retired).

Ryan Grant (NFL, retired), Natasha Cloud (WNBA), Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (NBA, retired), Mohamed Ahmed (Olympic silver medalist, track and field), Nikki Hiltz (track and field), Marielle Hall (Olympic track and field), Layshia Clarendon (WNBA), and Darrell Hill (USA Olympic track and field).

However, some notable names were absent from the list of signatories, including NBA star LeBron James. Despite his influential platform, James refrained from commenting on the genocide in Gaza.

Following the events of October 7, 2023, James and his business partner Maverick Carter released a statement offering their “deepest condolences to Israel and the Jewish community” while committing to “fighting hate in all its forms.”

The statement notably omitted any mention of Palestinians or their suffering.

Meanwhile, NBA star Draymond Green embarked on a trip to the occupied Palestinian territories organized by Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces, a prominent Zionist lobby group.

During the visit, Green toured an Israeli police unit, drawing criticism from some for his alignment with Israeli authorities during a time of heightened tensions and violence in Gaza.

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